BHIO Chairman Dr. B.S. Ajaikumar tells Government while inaugurating National Cancer Care Summit- 2024

Mysore/Mysuru: Dr. B.S. Ajaikumar, Executive Chairman and Founder of HCG Bharath Hospital & Institute of Oncology (BHIO), Mysuru, stated that rather than opening new cancer hospitals and wasting public funds, the Government should support and collaborate with private hospitals.

He made this statement while inaugurating the two-day National Cancer Care Summit-2024 on ‘Changing Dynamics in Cancer Care,’ organised by BHIO at a private hotel in city recently.

“Most cancer patients now rely more on private hospitals than Government ones, as private hospitals provide treatment under various Government health schemes like Ayushman Bharat and others. Instead of opening new hospitals and wasting public money, the Government should provide facilities to cooperate with private hospitals and monitor them. This will benefit everyone, including patients,” said Dr. Ajaikumar.

He mentioned that he had discussions with Health Minister Dinesh Gundurao and has proposed this idea to the State Government. Dr. Ajaikumar, who is also part of the Parliamentary Health Committee, assured that he would bring this issue to the committee members’ attention and advocate for ‘Universal Healthcare for All’, similar to systems in the US and Brazil where private hospitals are monitored by their respective governments.

Recalling the early days of BHIO, Dr. Ajaikumar noted that the hospital had to operate without any Government support, even using generators as the Government didn’t provide a power connection.

Despite these challenges, BHIO has adopted the latest technology, provided quality cancer treatment, and earned public trust. Dr. Ajaikumar emphasised that with Government support, BHIO could expand its services to other parts of the State.

Over the past 35 years, BHIO has treated more than 70,000 patients and performed over 25,000 surgeries. The hospital is now set to start robotic surgery, which will minimise patients’ hospital stays, he said.

Dr. Shekar Patil, Dr. Y.S. Madhavi, Dr. Srinivas, Dr. Kavitha, Dr. Vijayakumar, Dr. Vinayakumar Muttagi and Gowtham Dhamerla, COO of BHIO, were present on the occasion. Approximately 70 papers were    presented during the summit.