PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, Feb 4: Meherbai Tata Memorial Hospital (MTMH) celebrated 50 years of existence organising a function to mark this milestone for cancer patients, at Kudy Mahanty auditorium here today.
R.N. Sharma, chairman MTMH was the chief guest while Chanakya Chaudhary, vice-chairman MTMH was present as the guest of honour.
Rakeshwar Pandey, president, MTMH Employee Union was present amongst other distinguished guests that included Tata Steel senior management, MTMH members, prominent citizens and doctors and cancer survivors.
Golden Jubilee Celebrations and Planned Activities
The chairman inaugurated the Golden Jubilee celebrations and spoke of his vision for the hospital.
Chanakya Chaudhary unveiled the yearlong activity that was planned for this milestone year. These include HPV vaccination campaign for school children (the first group of girls were vaccinated at DBMS School today morning), screening camps for the rural population, a special Oncology Conference and most importantly, the inauguration of the Jubilee OT block in March 2025. Rakeshwar Pandey also spoke on the occasion.
Dr Koshy Varghese, Director, MTMH welcomed the guests. Dr Sujata Mitra, advisor to chairman elaborated on the planned activity for the year and Nishith Sinha, secretary proposed the vote of thanks.
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Historical Significance of MTMH
MTMH was established by the Jamshedpur Cancer Society (erstwhile Indian Cancer Society, Jamshedpur branch) in 1975 for cancer patients of this region.
It is named after Lady Meherbai Tata, wife of Sir Dorabji Jamshedji Tata as a tribute to the original feminist icon of India.
Inaugurated by JRD Tata, then chairman, Tata Sons on February 4, 1975, the hospital was built at a sum of Rs 10 lakhs, including a donation of Rs 3 lakhs from the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and disbursements by several institutions and individuals. R N Master, chief architect and town planner had designed it.
Partnership with Tata Trusts and Expansion Efforts
In 2018, as a part of the Tata Trusts’ vision to transform Cancer Care in India, the Trusts partnered with Tata Steel to develop MTMH into a comprehensive Cancer Care Centre.
The foundation laying ceremony for the project took place on March 2, 2018, by Ratan Tata. In just about a year, on March 13, 2019, Ratan Tata inaugurated the upgraded MTMH gifting it to the patients of Jharkhand.
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Current Facilities and Services
Currently, MTMH is a NABH (entry-level) accredited hospital with a bed strength of 130, a dedicated Day Care Center, the latest radiation equipment and state-of-the-art diagnostics including an NABL-accredited laboratory and a PET-CT.
The Pritpal Palliative Care Centre (funded by Suri Seva Foundation) is the only one of its kind in the region. Highly qualified consultants and nursing staff work to bring the latest in cancer treatment to patients.
The hospital is empanelled for the Ayushman Bharat scheme as well as the Jharkhand Mukhyamantri Gambhir Bimari Yojana, it is, therefore, able to extend care to below-poverty-line patients too.
