Pune To Get Dedicated Cancer Hospital And Research Centre, Major Boost For Treatment And Training
Pune To Get Dedicated Cancer Hospital And Research Centre, Major Boost For Treatment And Training ( Representative Image )
The new 400–500 bed facility affiliated with BJ Medical College will offer advanced care, research infrastructure and specialised oncology education.
Pune is set to take a major step forward in public healthcare with a dedicated cancer hospital planned under the Department of Medical Education and Drugs. The new centre, affiliated with BJ Medical College (BJMC) and Sassoon General Hospital (SGH), aims to fill a long-standing gap in the city’s medical system, where the absence of a government cancer hospital has forced thousands of patients to travel to Mumbai or other cities for diagnosis and treatment.
The upcoming facility is designed to function as a comprehensive L2 cancer care centre within the state’s three-tier cancer treatment model. This model, adapted from the Assam framework, places Tata Memorial Hospital as the apex body, with government medical colleges serving as comprehensive care centres, and district-level peripheral hubs supporting diagnosis and day-care services. Pune’s cancer hospital will be part of the second tier of this system, equipped to provide permanent, specialised care for all major cancer types.
The hospital will have between 400 and 500 beds, a dedicated rehabilitation and physiotherapy wing, and hostel accommodation for patients’ attendants. It will also include a postgraduate institute to train oncologists and super-specialists, helping build a stronger medical workforce for Maharashtra. The introduction of oncology education marks a major expansion for BJMC, which until now did not have a full-fledged oncology department.
Doctors involved in the project have emphasised that the need for such a centre has been urgent. With Pune’s population and geographic spread increasing, cancer cases have risen steadily across the district. Patients travelling long distances for chemotherapy, radiation or complex surgeries often face delays in treatment, financial stress and interruptions in their therapeutic cycles. A specialised institution within the city is expected to significantly reduce these barriers and ensure early detection, faster treatment and continuity of care.
Funding for the new hospital will be shared between the central government and the state’s medical education department, with the Centre contributing 60% and the department covering the remaining 40%. Officials said this partnership is intended to ensure that the hospital is equipped with world-class clinical and research facilities, including advanced diagnostics and modern cancer management technologies.
A major highlight of the upcoming centre is its academic expansion. The state government has approved a full suite of postgraduate and super-specialty programmes in oncology, including MD, MS, DM, MCh and DNB fellowships. This will allow Pune to develop its own pool of trained oncologists, surgeons, researchers and cancer-care specialists—something that currently requires students to relocate to Mumbai or out of state.
SGH already offers free cancer screening, surgical procedures and chemotherapy, and the new hospital will integrate with these services while adding advanced capabilities and long-term infrastructure. The facility is expected to serve not just Pune city but also surrounding districts, reducing pressure on other regional cancer centres.
Health officials say the goal is to build a “permanent and comprehensive” cancer institute that can evolve into a leading research hub, contribute to early-diagnosis programmes, and drive new approaches to cancer prevention and management in Maharashtra.
