Government Proposes a Separate 500-Bed Government Cancer Hospital in Pune

Pune:

After years of demand for a dedicated cancer hospital in Pune, the initiative has gained momentum with plans to establish a state-of-the-art 400-500 bed cancer hospital and research centre on the land of Aundh Uro Hospital. B.J. Medical College and Sassoon Sarvopchar Hospital are spearheading the proposal, aiming to bring advanced cancer treatment to Pune.

The cancer hospital is planned to utilise 10 acres of the 85-acre Aundh Uro Hospital campus. According to sources, 60 percent of the funding for the project will come from the central government, while the remaining 40 percent will be provided by the state’s medical education department.

Previously, there was a proposal to build a cancer hospital on a 2.2-acre Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) plot near Sassoon Hospital. The then Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar, had publicly instructed the officials regarding it. However, MSRDC leased the plot to a private developer on a long-term contract, raising concerns about its decision and delaying the project.

If the given proposal materialises, it will eliminate the need for cancer patients from Pune and western Maharashtra to travel to Mumbai for treatment. The new hospital aims to offer world-class facilities, including advanced medical technologies and comprehensive care for cancer patients.

In this regard, a five-member expert committee appointed by the Medical Education Department has finalised the blueprint for the cancer hospital and research centre. The plan will be presented to the District Collector next week, with land allocation already receiving a preliminary nod. The cancer hospital is planned to utilise 10 acres of the 85-acre Aundh Uro Hospital campus.

The proposed facility will include a 400-500 bed capacity along with a postgraduate medical college and specialised centres for patient rehabilitation and physiotherapy. Further, it will also have residential accommodations for patients’ relatives.

Dr. Eknath Pawar, Dean of B.J. Medical College, said, “Given the increasing number of cancer patients in Pune, a separate cancer hospital is the need of the hour. We had discussed this with the medical education commissioner and the district collector. In a meeting held a few days ago, both officials have given a positive response to this. A proposal in this regard will be submitted to the District Collector next week.”