Marking World Cancer Day, Vedanta Limited highlighted its ongoing efforts to strengthen India’s oncology landscape through BALCO Medical Centre (BMC), a specialised cancer hospital based in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. The centre recently achieved a major clinical milestone by successfully performing one of the most technically challenging cancer surgeries undertaken in Central India.
The complex procedure—a Whipple pancreaticoduodenectomy combined with portal vein resection—was carried out on a 42-year-old patient diagnosed with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer. Known for its high level of surgical difficulty, this operation is typically limited to a small number of highly advanced cancer institutions worldwide.
Established in 2018, BALCO Medical Centre is the flagship initiative of the Vedanta Medical Research Foundation (VMRF). The 170-bed, state-of-the-art oncology hospital has rapidly evolved into a key destination for advanced cancer care outside India’s metropolitan cities. To date, the centre has provided treatment to nearly 65,000 patients, performed close to 12,000 major cancer surgeries, and administered over 80,000 chemotherapy sessions.
With India accounting for a significant portion of the global cancer burden, challenges such as delayed diagnosis and the concentration of specialised treatment facilities in large cities continue to affect patient outcomes. Centres like BMC play a vital role in addressing this imbalance by delivering high-end cancer services closer to underserved regions.
In line with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 3—Good Health and Well-Being—BALCO Medical Centre integrates advanced medical care with strong community outreach initiatives. Over 500 cancer screening camps and awareness programmes have been conducted across urban and rural areas to promote prevention and early diagnosis.
Commenting on the occasion, Jyoti Agarwal, Chairperson, Vedanta Medical Research Foundation, said, “Awareness, early detection and timely treatment are among the most effective ways to reduce the cancer burden. Through BALCO Medical Centre and its community-focused initiatives, we aim to expand access to quality cancer care and encourage a proactive approach to health.”
Dr. Bhawna Sirohi, Medical Director, Vedanta Medical Research Foundation, also underscored the importance of early diagnosis, stating that informed and timely clinical decisions significantly improve cancer outcomes. She noted that BMC’s approach balances cutting-edge clinical expertise with patient education and community empowerment.
As part of its World Cancer Day observances, BALCO Medical Centre conducted multiple cancer screening and awareness programmes across Chhattisgarh. These initiatives were organised in collaboration with community groups and academic institutions, including Terapanth Samaj, Raipur; Rungta Dental College, Bhilai; and joint efforts with the State Health System Resource Centre (SHSRC) and Dear Foundation, Switzerland.
Additionally, the centre hosted an awareness webinar titled ‘Knowledge is Power’ and announced a 20 per cent discount on select health screening packages from February 1 to 7, 2026, aimed at improving access to early cancer detection.
(Photo courtesy: balcomedicalcentre.com)