The Bihar government has taken a significant step toward improving cancer care with the announcement of a 100-bed Palliative Care Hospital and the launch of the Bihar Cancer Care and Research Society. Spearheaded by Health Minister Mangal Pandey, the initiative aims to strengthen services across prevention, screening, treatment, and end-of-life care, while also promoting cancer awareness and research. This move is set to enhance healthcare accessibility and quality for thousands of patients across the state.

🏥 1. Establishment of 100-Bed Palliative Care Hospital

• Bihar will soon get a dedicated 100-bed hospital focusing exclusively on palliative care—a first of its kind in the state.
• The initiative is designed to support patients suffering from terminal illnesses, especially advanced-stage cancer, by offering pain management, emotional support, and end-of-life care.

🧬 2. Launch of Cancer Care and Research Society

• The State Health Department will register a new body titled Cancer Care and Research Society, aimed at a holistic approach to cancer management.
• Focus Areas:
1. Prevention and early detection
2. Screening and awareness
3. Treatment (chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy)
4. Palliative care services
5. Research and education
6. Infrastructure development

🏥 3. Current Cancer Care Status Across Bihar

• Cancer screening programs are operational in all 38 districts.
• Daycare chemotherapy centers functional in 17 districts to provide outpatient cancer treatment.
• Palliative care units are already active in 23 districts.
• Free cancer medications are being distributed through district hospitals.

💉 4. HPV Vaccination Campaign for Girls

• A statewide free HPV vaccination drive has been launched for girls aged 9–14 years.
• Objective: To prevent cervical cancer, one of the leading cancers among women in India.
• The initiative aligns with WHO’s global cervical cancer elimination strategy.

🚭 5. Strengthening Tobacco Control Measures

• Ahead of World No-Tobacco Day (May 31), the minister emphasized ramping up the tobacco control program.
• Focus on:
• Mouth and throat cancer prevention
• Awareness in rural and urban areas
• Stronger enforcement against tobacco sales to minors

🧑‍ 6. Strategic Meeting with Homi Bhabha Cancer Institute

• Held in Muzaffarpur to coordinate efforts and strengthen partnerships.
• Reviewed strategies for improving:
• Public access to cancer care
• Medical training
• Technological infrastructure

🏢 7. Office Setup and Administration

• The new Bihar Cancer Care and Research Society will be headquartered at Health Bhavan, Patna.
• The administrative infrastructure will oversee coordination between:
• Cancer treatment centers
• Vaccination drives
• Public health campaigns

👥 8. Key Attendees at the High-Level Meeting

• Mangal Pandey, State Health Minister
• Pratyaya Amrit, Additional Chief Secretary (Health)
• Manoj Kumar Singh, Health Department Secretary
• Dharmendra Kumar, MD, Bihar Medical Services Infrastructure Corporation (BMSIC)
• Suharsh Bhagat, Executive Director, State Health Committee
• Shashank Shekhar Sinha, CEO, Bihar Health Security Committee
• Dr. Ravikant Singh, Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital, Muzaffarpur