Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre (RGCIRC), acclaimed amongst Asia’s exclusive cancer care centers, celebrated the completion of 25 glorious years today. However, instead of a grand celebration, a quieter ceremony marked the occasion with thanksgiving to all the medical professionals who sacrificed their comforts and lives in serving humanity through one of the toughest health emergencies ever witnessed.
Besides lamp lighting and a prayer session, the silver jubilee celebration witnessed the unveiling of a new state-of-the-art MRI centre and facilities to improve patients’ convenience like multi-level parking and escalators which are first-of-its-kind in a cancer institute in this part of the world.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rakesh Chopra, Chairman Governing Council of RGCIRC said The 25 years of RGCIRC can easily represent the art of making it possible. RGCIRC today is a manifestation of a dream envisioned by few self-less philanthropists with frugal resources but strong determination to help provide qualitative, affordable cancer care with easy access to a large number of people suffering from cancer. It is the epic saga of toil, struggle and self-less service that has led RGCIRC to what it is today.
This is an occasion to rededicate ourselves to achieve excellence in cancer care with a human touch. RGCIRC has carved a unique niche for itself as a standalone oncology care centre. We have braved against odds to bring the benefits of new technologies to the maximum possible. That philosophy of leveraging technology, research, motivated human resource and innovation will continue to guide us as we look with hope and determination to next 25 years, said Mr D S Negi, CEO of RGCIRC
The growing incidence of cancer in the country has brought into sharp relief the need for strengthening the healthcare infrastructure of the country. RGCIRC, with its not-for-profit character and thereby bringing affordable quality healthcare to many acts as a beacon of hope to support the public health infrastructure in meeting the burgeoning need for healthcare demands, said Dr. Sudhir Rawal, Medical Director, RGCIRC.
On the occasion, RGCI also announced commencement of a Public Lecture series delivered and moderated by some of the most well-acclaimed oncologists in the country. The public lecture series, aimed at enhancing awareness of cancer, will be held from August to October this year.
Ever since its inception in 1996, RGCIRC has touched the lives of more than 2.75 Lakh patients and caters to over 16000 new patients every year. The Institute offers super specialized tertiary care services in Medical, Surgical, and Radiation Oncology, streamlined into dedicated Site-Specific teams.
The institute has several firsts to its credit including the first hospital in India to begin robotic surgery for cancer patients, first hospital in India to install a true beam for precision radiotherapy and first hospital in India to set up a molecular laboratory.
Spread over nearly 2 Lakh square feet area, with a current capacity of 500 beds, RGCIRC is one of the largest tertiary cancer care centres in the country. RGCIRC has 14 state-of-the-art well equipped modular Operation Theatres with three-stage air filtration and gas scavenging systems, and 2 Minor Operation Theatres for Day Care Surgeries.
RGCIRC is committed to bringing the benefits of cutting-edge technology to its patients. The Institute offers best in class techniques such as whole-body robotic surgery, Intra-Operative Brachytherapy, True Beam (the next generation Image Guided Radiation Therapy), PET- MRI fusion, High-Frequency Ultrasound, Tomosynthesis (first-of-its-kind revolutionary 3D mammography machine), Nucleic Acid Testing (for safest possible blood), and advanced diagnostic and imaging techniques, including Digital PET CT, Circulating Tumor Cell testing, liquid biopsy, and Next-Generation Sequencing. Institute has established Molecular Laboratory for gene profiling, Biorepository (Tissue Bank) for clinical and research purposes and a dedicated Cath Lab for cancer patients has been started to do all interventional radiology procedures, few such as portal venous embolization, carotid artery embolization, TACE, TARE etc.
