The mere mention of December 3, 1984, Bhopal is enough to send a chill down the spine of generations residing in the area. The world’s worst industrial disaster dubbed the ‘Bhopal Gas Tragedy’ saw huge quantities of Methylisocynite (MIC) gas leaking from the Union Carbide’s Pesticides plant, killing and maiming thousands in the area. But the tragedy didn’t stop there with the worst yet to come. Those who survived now stood at high risks of cancer which meant that not just them, but also the following generations, had a fight ahead to put on with.
Cancer treatment was very nascent in those days and people had to travel to metros, especially Delhi and Mumbai now and then. The expensive treatment combined with the frequent travel expenditure burnt a hole in the pockets of many families. The grim situation also saw many affected people accepting death as their fate rather than going around for treatment. This provoked some respected senior Citizens of Bhopal to approach the Government to facilitate the treatment in the state itself. On the advice of the Government and largest contributor Madhya Pradesh Cancer Chikitsa Evam Sewa Samiti was registered on 17th July 1986. The Govt. allotted the land on the prime and picturesque location of the city, Idgah hills and helped in the construction of a Hospital known as the Jawaharlal Nehru Cancer Hospital & Research Centre (JNCH). The foundation stone of the hospital was laid down by erstwhile Vice President His Highness Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma on July 5, 1989. The inauguration was also done by erstwhile President Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma. Shri Madan Mohan Joshi, Editor of leading Hindi Newspaper of Central India and founder Chairman of the Hospital was the main architect of JNCH. Since inception, the hospital has stayed at the forefront of medical technology and has never looked behind.
Eminent Personalities
JNCH was founded under the aegis of the Madhya Pradesh Cancer Chikitsa Evam Sewa Samiti, founded by the then Chairman, Late Shri Madan Mohan Joshi. The society is now headed by Smt.Asha Joshi. The management team at JNCH consists of Chairman; Dr. K.V. Pandya MD (Medicine) Director, Smt. Divya Parashar, CEO, Dr. Pradeep Kolekar M.D. (Medicine) Director Medical and Shri Rakesh Joshi, Addl. Director of the hospital. Two Govt. nominees Commissioner Bhopal & Dean Gandhi Medical College Bhopal are also members of this Society.
Services
JNCH provides the total Diagnostic (Pathology with Blood Bank, Radio-diagnosis and Imaging, Microbiology and Nuclear Medicine) Therapeutic ( Medical Oncology Radiation Oncology, Surgical Oncology, and Nuclear medicine) Preventive, Palliative care along with Animal Research for development of newer molecules and their effectiveness on cancer by trial on animals.
To keep up with the technological advancements, it installed a Cobalt machine for Radiotherapy in 1994, later on, added Linear Accelerator – IMRT and then Halcyon IGRT for Radiotherapy and Gamma Camera for Nuclear Medicine. The Hospital also believes that development in technological advancement and innovation has helped in the cure of cancer patients, prolonging life, improving the quality of life of patients. In other words, it is a boon for patients. Earlier patients were suffering from the disease and gradually melting down from the complication of the disease. But now there’s hope and therapy to deal with it. Technology is certainly helping the hospital progress towards its mission to enhance the lives of cancer patients by providing comprehensive and quality treatment and care with kindness, integrity, and compassion.
Countering Challenges and Spreading Awareness
JNCH, since inception, has been taking long strides towards establishing itself as a premier name in Cancer Treatment. But the journey has not been a rosy one. The hospital is a non-profitable institute and serving the low socio-economic group. The diagnostic and therapeutic medicine and equipment are very costly and it has to provide the latest technology treatment to its patients. So financial constraint is the main cause of concern, another constraint is the availability of trained manpower and exodus of manpower who leave after getting the experience.
But challenges don’t stop the hospital in serving the population with compassion. The hospital has been developed for the poor community who cannot go to metros and corporate hospitals. Villagers, BPL people, Govt. employees, PSU workers, Army people, Gas Victims, Ayushman Bharat patients are its main beneficiaries. The hospital also regularly conducts cancer awareness programs, Tobacco cessation and cancer detection camps in nearby Cities, Industries, Schools, Colleges, Offices, etc. To its credit, there are several awards and accolades. Some of them are:
- NABH Accreditation in the year 2016
- Renewal of NABH accreditation in the year 2019
- Swachch Bharat Abhiyan Cleanest Hospital in Bhopal ( First Prize) in 2018
- Green Hospital Initiative
- Recognized for DNB in Radiotherapy
- Training center for Physicists by Bhabha Atomic Research center
- Paramedical institute training for Lab Technician, Radiology Technician, O.T. Technician
For a Healthy Future
The hospital management believes that India has got the best talents in the medical field. The cost of treatment is also less as compared to other countries. JNCH, by its services, is equivalent to the country’s topmost medical institutes in regards to treatment, equipment, care, atmosphere, and environment. The hospital, with its team of trained and experienced doctors, is always present for the services to the community.
To know more about the hospital’s work and specialities, click here.
