28 Years of Excellence in Cancer Care: RGCIRC looks to expand its footprint

New Delhi: Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre (RGCIRC), an apex institution for cancer care, plans to expand its reach to other areas of the National Capital Region with its focus on providing high-quality treatment to more people.

This expansion will be carried out strategically, and the institute will also continue to strengthen its philanthropic efforts.

Addressing the RGCIRC family on its 28th anniversary, with the theme “Beyond Excellence,” the leadership reflected on the institute’s nearly three decades of commitment to compassionate care, medical innovation, and cutting-edge research. They highlighted the institute’s significant accomplishments and the strong sense of community that has developed over the years.

Delivering a keynote speech, Rakesh Chopra, Chairman of RGCIRC, who reflected on the RGCIRC’s 28-year legacy stated, “For close to three decades now, RGCIRC has excelled in the fields of cancer research, patient care commitment and its service to the community at large. RGCIRC has been successful because of a strong value system embedded in our DNA, which distinguishes us from other hospitals. We endeavour to serve people and alleviate their pain and suffering too by adopting the most modern ways to fight cancer. And our success at Rohini is a signal from our patients that there is a huge need to serve more. Thus, we are thinking about growth.”

 “Apart from Rohini and Niti Bagh, we are now exploring various other vicinities in NCR for setting up new hospitals. We have already engaged a large firm for this purpose. It will be in a calibrated manner -one at a time ensuring our value system is deeply ingrained in the new hospital before we move to the next. Construction in Niti Bagh is in full swing. We expect that the hospitals will be ready in two years. Following that, we’ll need to start planning for our next location within one to two years.”

Providing a sneak peek into the RGCIRC’s philanthropic work over the years, Mr. DS Negi, CEO, RGCIRC, said, “The very motto of RGCIRC is no one seeking cancer treatment is denied care due to lack of funds and lack of money. With this focus, we spent about Rs 59 crore last year on philanthropic work. The number of donors is increasing every year as they are aware about our philanthropic work.  Over the past decade, we have conducted over 1,20,000 free screenings, identifying 5-6% of participants as being in the pre-cancer stage. This proactive approach has enabled us to save more than 2,000 lives. The number of screenings witnessed a significant leap last year, reaching 24,000. We actively reach out to vulnerable communities, including those residing in slum settlements, offering them free treatment and support.

A highlight of the celebration was the launch of a refreshed RGCIRC logo, symbolizing the institute’s continued evolution and commitment to innovation.

Expressing enthusiasm about the revamped logo, Mr. Rakesh Chopra, stated, “Our current logo was designed 28 years back. During this period, we have crossed many technological and cancer care milestones. Our energy was always focused on cancer care and patient care. We did not focus on brand identity which tended to evolve on its own. But, in today’s time of the internet, smartphones and social media, communication plays a critical role in perception building. Thus, our branding needs to evolve and truly reflect our true identity as well as our core values of ethics, empathy and excellence. As was a private hospital which is about empathy, excellence, and ethics. Our refreshed logo is an outcome of this process. The new logo encapsulates our mission to lead in advancing oncology treatments, research, and patient care. As we unveil this refreshed identity, we remain committed to the human care values that have guided us for almost three decades.”

Dr. Sudhir Kumar Rawal, Medical Director and Chief of GenitoUro-Oncology Services, RGCIRC presented the vote of thanks and acknowledged the invaluable contributions of partners, volunteers, researchers.  “RGCIRC is known all over the world because of the unwavering and untiring contribution of our doctors, nurses and support staff who have always come together to take on new challenges. We must therefore, once again now come together and commit ourselves to extend our performance beyond excellence and remain at the forefront of cancer care innovation in the nation.”

The cultural performances, with a series of activities and awarding successful participants, reinforced the sense of community and collaboration within RGCIRC. As the Institute enters its 29th year, it remains dedicated to serving the community and advancing the field of oncology.