Chandrapur cancer hospital to improve using patient suggestions: MLA Munganitwar

MLA Sudhir Munganitwar has launched a suggestion box facility at Pandit Deendayal Cancer Hospital in Chandrapur, aimed at ensuring that patients get an environment of trust and support along with treatment, and that the hospital's services keep improving based on patients' concerns and expectations.

The suggestion box was inaugurated by cancer patients Rukminibai Aakrupi and Shankar Aakrupi of Lambori village in Jivati taluka, who cut the ribbon. MLA Munganitwar said it was satisfying that the inauguration was done by the patients themselves, and that an effort is being made to make the Chandrapur cancer hospital more capable, sensitive and patient-centred using patients' suggestions and experiences.

MLA Munganitwar said the suggestion box will let patients and their families directly share their views on the hospital's services, facilities, difficulties and needed improvements. He said the box should not only carry complaints but also genuine suggestions on how the hospital can be made better, what additional facilities can be given to patients, and how the treatment process can be made easier. He said feedback from patients' experiences would serve as an important guide for the hospital's future direction.

MLA Munganitwar also said that so cancer patients from Chandrapur district do not have to travel to distant cities like Mumbai for treatment, he had consistently pushed the government for a state-of-the-art cancer hospital in Chandrapur. Since becoming finance minister in 2014, he said he had always given this issue priority and made the necessary efforts. The project, built with support from the Mineral Development Fund and the Tata Trust, has now been completed, and the hospital in Chandrapur is becoming a major support for cancer patients of eastern Vidarbha. He said he is continuing efforts to ensure the hospital is not just equipped with modern facilities but also builds a reputation as a model, patient-centred cancer treatment centre in the state.

MLA Munganitwar said he hopes that patients who arrive at the hospital anxious and fearful leave, after treatment, free of worry and with confidence and renewed hope, because of the hospital's advanced treatment methods, specialist doctors and a caring environment. He said a hospital's true identity comes not just from advanced machines but from the quality of treatment, reliable service and a caring environment given to patients, and that every patient experience should be taken seriously to make necessary improvements.

MLA Munganitwar said efforts will also be made to effectively use AI technology at the cancer hospital. He said he would speak to the health minister about using AI technology to ensure financial assistance to patients after surgery under the Jeevandayee scheme reaches them without delay. He said government assistance should reach patients suffering from illnesses such as paralysis and cancer on time, and that health scheme benefits should reach as many needy patients as possible.

He said primary health centres in Chandrapur district have been upgraded, and the government medical college and hospital will also be inaugurated soon. Besides this, a hospital is being built in Ballarpur through the Ministry of Ayush. MLA Munganitwar said that once the necessary land for this hospital is secured, an effort will be made to build a modern hospital with advanced facilities such as AI technology and robotic surgery.

MLA Munganitwar said his intention is for this hospital, run in the name of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay, to become an excellent healthcare centre providing good, advanced healthcare to the underprivileged, needy and ordinary citizens at the last rung of society. He said giving importance to patients' suggestions is necessary so that every patient who comes to the hospital gets an environment of dignity, support and trust along with treatment. He said he hopes the suggestion box will not remain merely a way to register complaints, but will become an effective medium for conveying patients' concerns to the administration and improving the hospital's services. During the visit, the site required for building staff quarters at the cancer hospital was also inspected. MLA Munganitwar directed the concerned officials to prepare a project report for housing for officers and staff, a dharamshala, and accommodation for nurses.