Odisha to Fund Additional Cost of 385-Bed Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital at Jatani

Bhubaneswar: The upcoming Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre at Jatani is set to get additional financial support from the Odisha government, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi approving state funding to meet the increased project cost following the expansion of the facility.

The hospital, being established under the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, was originally planned as a 200-bed facility. Its capacity has now been enhanced to 385 beds, necessitating additional investment in construction and related infrastructure.

The Chief Minister has directed that the additional financial requirement arising from the expanded capacity be met from the state government budget. The move is intended to ensure that the facility is developed with adequate infrastructure, equipment and capacity to provide advanced cancer care.

The project is being developed on the lines of the Tata Memorial Centre, one of India’s leading cancer treatment and research institutions. The Tata Steel Foundation is also contributing financially to the project.

The increase in bed capacity from 200 to 385 is expected to significantly enhance the hospital’s ability to cater to cancer patients. The additional funding will be used for the expanded capacity as well as strengthening other essential infrastructure and medical equipment.

The decision assumes significance as many cancer patients from Odisha currently travel to Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai for specialised treatment. A major cancer care facility in Jatani is expected to reduce the need for patients to travel outside the state for advanced treatment.

Once operational, the Jatani facility is expected to benefit not only patients from Odisha but also those from neighbouring states and other parts of eastern India.

The state government’s decision to meet the additional project cost is aimed at ensuring that the hospital is completed with the required capacity and facilities, strengthening Odisha’s healthcare infrastructure and improving access to specialised cancer treatment closer to patients’ homes.