Chandigarh, October 16, 2025 — The Punjab government’s ₹510-crore initiative to expand cancer care through the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Center in New Chandigarh and Sangrur has transformed treatment accessibility for thousands of patients, officials said on Thursday.
Built in collaboration with the Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), the New Chandigarh facility has 300 beds and offers advanced cancer diagnosis, robotic surgery, and radiation therapy — all on a 50-acre site provided free of cost by the state. The Punjab government has also signed a third long-term MoU with TMC in August 2025 to continue running the hospitals jointly, with the state funding infrastructure and treatment while TMC manages medical operations.
Officials said around 85% of patients at both hospitals receive either free or highly subsidised treatment under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana and the Punjab Cancer Relief Fund, which cover up to ₹5 lakh per patient. “We are committed to ensuring that world-class treatment reaches every citizen, regardless of income,” a senior health department official said.
In 2025, the government also introduced robotic surgery facilities at the New Chandigarh hospital, with the first 80 procedures offered free of cost to ordinary patients. The initiative aims to make cutting-edge surgical care — previously available only in private hospitals — accessible to all.
The hospitals have screened over 1.7 lakh people for cancer this year as part of outreach and awareness campaigns, earning national recognition on Independence Day 2025. A new agreement with TMC will further expand screening, anti-tobacco drives, and medical training in rural areas.
Officials acknowledged a shortage of nursing and technical staff but said recruitments are underway, with plans to draw personnel from medical and nursing colleges to run both facilities at full capacity.
The government’s model, officials said, has positioned Punjab as a leader in public healthcare delivery. “This is not just about hospitals — it’s about restoring hope,” a senior official said. “Punjab is showing how government-led healthcare can truly change lives.”
