In what can be construed as a boon for the patients suffering from cancer disease, the country’s third largest bank- ICICI, as a part of Corporate Social Responsibility came forward with a noble initiative for setting up ‘ICICI Paediatric and Haematological Oncology Block’ at Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, (HBCH&RC) Visakhapatnam, which is widely known for its world-class medical and healthcare services for cancer patients.
 
Towards this end, Sanjay Datta, President, ICICI Foundation and Dr R. A. Badwe, Director, Tata Memorial Centre signed the agreement in the presence of Girish Chandra Chaturvedi,Chairman, ICICI Bank and Sandeep Batra, Executive Director, ICICI Bank.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman of the ICICI Bank Girish Chandra Chaturvedi, said in a bid to promote healthcare, especially in the field of cancer treatment, our core commitment entirely lies in enhancing comprehensive care services in different parts of the country by associating with Tata Memorial Centre for timely and high-quality treatments at “highly subsidized" costs for the much-needed patients. 

Applauding the noble initiative of the ICICI Foundation for setting up state-of-the-art infrastructure with Rs. 400 crore CSR fund, Director of HBCH&RC, Visakhapatnam Dr Umesh Mahantshetty said it is indeed a great help for the much-needed cancer patients coming from AP, Odisha, Chattisgarh and other neighbouring states. 

This centre will provide advanced equipment and therapies required to treat paediatric and haematological cancer. The facilities will include intense chemotherapy, bone marrow transplantation, radiation therapy and newer immunotherapies like CAR-T cell, available only at super specialised centres. 

For the convenience of in-patient care, the centre will also have dedicated beds, day care units, ICUs, MRI and CT – PET Scan facilities as well as laboratories for advanced testing including genetics, which are critical for treating paediatric and haematological cancers, added Dr. Umesh Mahan Shetty.