Pune: After years of delays, the proposal for a dedicated cancer hospital in Pune has gained momentum, with Sassoon General Hospital taking the lead in establishing the facility at the Aundh Chest Hospital campus.

The project, proposed by BJ Medical College and Sassoon General Hospital, envisions a 400-500 bed cancer treatment and research center. It will also include a postgraduate medical college specializing in oncology.

The initiative aims to provide advanced cancer treatment facilities for patients in Pune and western Maharashtra, reducing the need for them to travel to Mumbai for care.

The funding for the project will be shared, with 60% provided by the central government and 40% by the state’s medical education department.

A five-member expert committee has finalized the hospital's blueprint, which is expected to be submitted to the district collector next week. The district administration has identified 10 acres of the 85-acre Aundh Chest Hospital campus for the project.

Speaking to mediapersons, Dr. Eknath Pawar, Dean of BJ Medical College, stated, “The increasing number of cancer cases in Pune underscores the urgent need for this hospital. The District Collector and Commissioner of Medical Education have shown strong support for the initiative.”

Features of the Proposed Facility

• Advanced cancer treatment services

• An affiliated postgraduate medical college

• Capacity to accommodate 400-500 patients

• Dedicated centers for rehabilitation and physiotherapy

• Lodging facilities for families of patients

Challenges with MSRDC Land Allocation

The project faced initial delays due to the unavailability of land. A 2.2-acre plot near Sassoon General Hospital, controlled by MSRDC, was initially earmarked for the cancer hospital.

However, MSRDC leased this land to a private developer under a long-term agreement, raising concerns and halting the project. With the new proposal at the Aundh Chest Hospital campus, the project is now back on track.