Translation:- A Ray of Hope in the Lives of Cancer Patients.

The growing reputation of the Government Cancer Hospital for service and treatment.

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: – The Government Medical College and Cancer Hospital has earned a reputation for providing quality and accessible treatment not only to cancer patients from the Marathwada region but also from North Maharashtra and Vidarbha. For patients battling cancer, this hospital is a ray of hope. Since its inception, the hospital has served lakhs of patients and brought joy to many lives.

The standard of services here has improved due to the skillful planning and administration of Government Medical College Dean Dr. Shivaji Sukre and Special Duty Officer of the Government Cancer Hospital Dr. Arvind Gaikwad. Dr. Sukre and Dr. Gaikwad say that the moment when patients recover and return to their families with smiling faces is a moment of satisfaction for them.

The fight that a patient has to wage to overcome cancer is not just a fight between the patient and the disease, but the contribution of the treating medical team is huge. The Government Cancer Hospital is making that contribution effectively.

The Radiotherapy Department was established in 1984 at Government Medical College, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad). After that, with the initiative of the State Government, the hospital has continuously expanded and today has become an important cancer treatment center with state-of-the-art facilities.

In 2008, the Maharashtra Government approved the hospital and started construction. Crores of rupees were sanctioned for this. Later, in 2011, as per a Government Resolution, 359 posts for medical officers, nurses, and administrative staff were sanctioned.

The hospital was officially inaugurated on 21 September 2012. Here, Pathology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Radio Diagnosis, along with a 100-bed facility, 4 operation theaters, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy facilities were started. Modern equipment like City Simulator, Brachytherapy, and Linear Accelerator also became available.

In 2015, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, in coordination with Dr. Kailas Sharma, Academic Director, Tata Hospital, Mumbai. Under this, a Bhabhatron-II machine was provided by Tata Hospital, Mumbai, which reduced the waiting time for treatment and decreased the number of patients going to Mumbai.

In 2016, this hospital received the status of State Cancer Institute. Later, with assistance from the Central and State Governments, facilities were expanded with funding of ₹97 crore. Progressing in the academic field as well, the M.D. Radiotherapy course was started in 2018 and the M.Ch. Surgical Oncology course in 2020.

From 2021, DM Pediatric Oncology and MRI facilities started. In 2024, super specialty courses in four subjects began. In 2025, a Robotic Surgery Unit, 128-slice CT Scan, and Palliative Medicine Department were started.

On 27 April 2025, the expanded building was inaugurated by Union Health Minister Hon. J.P. Nadda, Hon. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Medical Education Minister Hon. Hasan Mushrif. This included 300 beds, a new IPD ward, day-care facility, and digital mammography service.

Currently, various departments including Medical, Surgical, Head & Neck, Gynaecological, Pediatric, and Radiation Oncology are functional in the hospital. Also, cancer awareness and screening campaigns are being conducted in rural and urban areas.

Poor patients are getting great relief due to schemes like Ayushman Bharat and Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana. With the help of various NGOs, accommodation, food, and other facilities are being provided for patients and their relatives.

Highlights of Patient Services (2012 to March 2025)

OPD patients: 4.42 lakh  

IPD patients: 63,298  

Major surgeries:11,404  

Minor surgeries: 11,384  

Chemotherapy (Day-care): 1.24 lakh  

ICU patients: 9,530  

X-rays: 82,538  

Sonography: 88,476  

With the current facilities, and under the guidance of Dhirajkumar, Secretary, Medical Education & Drugs Department, and Anil Bhandari, Commissioner, Medical Education & AYUSH and Director, Medical Education & Research, the institute is working to start Preventive Oncology courses, a Molecular Laboratory, and a Bone Marrow Transplant Unit in the future. At present, out of 719 sanctioned posts, 529 are filled and 190 are vacant. Even so, this Government Cancer Hospital in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is proving to be life-saving for patients from Marathwada and the state, and its identity is being further strengthened due to advanced treatment, academic progress, and comprehensive services.