Odisha Govt to Bear Additional Cost for Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital in Jatani

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has decided to provide the additional funding required for the construction of the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre at Jatani, following a decision taken by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.

The cancer care facility is being developed under the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, on the model of the Tata Memorial Centre. Initially designed as a 200-bed hospital, the proposed facility has now been expanded to accommodate 385 beds, leading to an increase in the overall project cost.

The Tata Steel Foundation is supporting the project financially. However, considering the revised requirement arising from the expansion, the Chief Minister has directed the state government to cover the additional expenditure through its budget.

The additional allocation will be used to enhance the hospital’s capacity and strengthen essential infrastructure, medical equipment and other facilities needed to operate the expanded centre.

At present, many cancer patients from Odisha have to travel to Mumbai for specialised treatment at the Tata Memorial Hospital. The proposed centre at Jatani is expected to reduce the need for such long-distance travel by providing advanced cancer treatment within the state.

The facility is also likely to cater to patients from neighbouring states and other parts of eastern India, strengthening the region’s access to specialised cancer care.

The state government’s move is aimed at ensuring that the project is completed with the expanded capacity and necessary infrastructure, keeping in view the increasing demand for comprehensive cancer treatment in the region.