Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the Bagchi Karunashraya Palliative Care Centre today in the Infocity-2 area of Bhubaneswar.
The center has been established through the collaborative efforts of the Karunashraya institution of the Bangalore Hospice Trust, and generous donations from Sushmita and Subroto Bagchi. This 110-bed facility offers free care for terminally ill cancer patients. The Odisha government provided land and other support for the center at subsidized rates. Beyond patient care, the center aims to expand into education and research in the coming years.
During the inauguration, Chief Minister Majhi described the center as a beacon of humanitarian values, embodying charity, kindness, and compassion. He lauded the Bagchi couple for their rare and selfless contribution to social service, calling them role models for Odisha. Their initiative, he said, would inspire others to serve society.
Highlighting the challenges of cancer treatment, the Chief Minister noted the financial burdens families face alongside the emotional toll. He praised the Bagchi couple for creating a world-class facility that provides free, compassionate care to alleviate the suffering of terminally ill patients.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who attended as a guest, called the center a shining example of public service in India, reflecting sacrifice and empathy. He expressed gratitude to the Bagchi couple on behalf of Odisha for their efforts in establishing this cancer hospital.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahalinga emphasized the center’s noble purpose, expressing hope for its success in easing the pain of cancer patients. He assured full government support for the initiative and thanked the Bagchi family, nurses, and health workers for their dedication.
Speaking at the event, Subroto Bagchi highlighted the collective impact of cancer on patients and their families, stressing the importance of empathy alongside treatment. He acknowledged the contributions of everyone involved in establishing the center and emphasized that cancer care requires collective societal effort, not just reliance on the government.
The Chief Minister and the Union Education Minister also interacted with patients and their families receiving care at the center.
The event featured a welcome address by Gurmeet Singh Randhawa, Managing Trustee of Bangalore Hospice Trust. Among the attendees were MLA Babu Singh, MLA Akash Dasnayak, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, and Development Commissioner Anu Garg.
