Tezpur Cancer Centre (TCC), one of the ten cancer hospitals under the Assam Cancer Care Foundation (ACCF), celebrated its 3rd Foundation Day on April 28 with a heartfelt and inspiring ceremony attended by staff members, cancer survivors, dignitaries, and community leaders. ACCF, a not-for-profit joint initiative by the Government of Assam and Tata Trusts, has been at the forefront of delivering quality cancer care across the state.
The celebrations commenced with the singing of the State Anthem by a Chorus Team comprising staff members, setting the tone for a day of pride and reflection. The inaugural address was delivered by Medical Superintendent Lt Col (Retd) Dr. Sanjib Hazarika, who underscored the Centre’s substantial impact on the region since its inception. “TCC has served over 3,437 new cancer patients, provided 786 radiotherapy treatments, administered 9,473 chemotherapy sessions, and recorded an OPD footfall of 24,822,” he said. Dr. Hazarika also announced that seven more cancer hospitals are under various stages of completion and are expected to be operational by 2026.
The lamp lighting ceremony was graced by Assam Gaurav awardee Mr. Manoj Basumatary, renowned author and thought leader Dr. Sarita Sharma, and Dr. Hazarika. Mr. Basumatary praised the hospital as a manifestation of philanthropist Ratan Tata’s vision to bring advanced healthcare to underserved regions. Dr. Sharma commended the hospital’s Community Outreach Program (COP) and emphasized the need for increased awareness and last-mile healthcare delivery to rural communities.
The celebration featured a soul-stirring group song by the Chorus Team, followed by an informative presentation by Senior Consultant Dr. Sanjeev Gupta on the alarming rise in cervical cancer cases. He highlighted the importance of routine screenings and early detection in combating the disease.
Dr. Krishnapriya Banerjee, GDMO, elaborated on cervical cancer screening and the availability of vaccinations at the centre. District Health Manager Ms. Dipti Moni Das highlighted the COP’s success, noting that over 19,000 individuals have been screened so far. She reaffirmed the program’s commitment to reaching the target of screening 2 crore people across Assam, an initiative led by Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma.
A moving segment of the event featured testimonials from cancer survivors and their attendants, who shared their journeys of resilience and recovery. They expressed deep gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff of TCC and ACCF for their unwavering support during their most challenging times.
The day concluded with the singing of the National Anthem, bringing a sense of unity and purpose to the event, and reinforcing TCC’s mission to be a beacon of hope and healing for the region.
