In a much-needed and hopeful advancement for cancer care in North Bihar, the Alkem Foundation, the CSR arm of Alkem Laboratories Ltd., has supported establishing the Samprada Singh Memorial Radiotherapy Centre at the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Muzaffarpur.
With an investment of Rs. 100 crore, the centre stands as the largest radiotherapy facility in North Bihar and the second-largest in the entire state.
Bihar, grappling with a high and rising cancer burden, has long faced severe shortages in cancer care infrastructure. The newly inaugurated centre—dedicated to the late Samprada Singh, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Alkem—and inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is poised to bridge this critical gap in healthcare services.
Developed in collaboration with the Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), Mumbai—a leading national institution in cancer care and research—the centre promises to deliver cutting-edge treatment close to the doorstep of thousands of patients.
Madhurima Singh, Executive Director and Chairperson of the CSR and Sustainability Committee at Alkem, expressed, “With deep roots in Bihar, it is our heartfelt endeavour to give back to the state. The rising number of cancer cases necessitates world-class treatment facilities accessible locally. This centre reflects our vision of equitable healthcare access and aims to ease the journey for patients and their families through a comprehensive model of care.”
In a statement here, the Alkem Foundation said the centre is equipped with the latest technology, including Linear Accelerators (LINAC), stereotaxy systems, CT simulators, organ motion management systems, and in-house brachytherapy with dedicated applicators. With a capacity to treat between 3,500 to 4,000 patients annually, it will serve Bihar and neighbouring regions such as Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and border areas of Nepal.
Dr. Kumar Prabhash, Director of Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, noted, “This centre empowers us to provide a full spectrum of cancer care—from diagnosis to treatment—adhering to global standards. Our mission is to ensure ethical, affordable, and evidence-based care for the people of Bihar and adjoining states.”
In addition to advanced radiotherapy, the Alkem Foundation has joined hands with TMC to undertake community outreach efforts such as home-based palliative care, cancer screening camps, and awareness programmes focused on early detection and prevention.
This initiative arrives at a critical juncture. A study, “Strengthening of Cancer Care Services in Bihar: A Situational Analysis,” published in Cancer Research, Statistics and Treatment last year, highlights Bihar’s pressing challenges in cancer care.
According to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) hospital-based cancer registry data, Bihar’s two largest cancer hospitals—IGIMS and Mahavir Cancer Sansthan, Patna—registered 56,447 new cancer cases from 2014 to 2018, averaging around 11,300 annually. This represents only 11% of the estimated cancer burden of approximately 100,000 cases per year in the state.
The study, conducted by experts from IGIMS Patna, Military Hospital Golconda, and AIIMS Jodhpur, further revealed that Bihar has just eight comprehensive cancer care centres, mostly concentrated in metro Patna. Nearly half of the new patients either do not seek treatment or travel outside Bihar for care. Gall bladder and oral cavity cancers lead in prevalence, followed by breast, lung, and cervical cancers, said the study.
