Cancer Fight Needs Prevention, Early Detection and Compassionate Care: CM Sai

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai addresses the 4th BMC Chhattisgarh Cancer Conclave 2026 at Mayfair Lake Resort in Nava Raipur on Saturday, September 19. Sai called for greater emphasis on cancer prevention, early detection, accessible treatment and compassionate patient care-Photo:primelookindia.com via CMO

At BMC Chhattisgarh Cancer Conclave 2026, Chief Minister says patients must never feel alone; highlights 5,000-bed Medicity planned in Nava Raipur

Nava Raipur: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Saturday, September 19, 2026 called for a combined effort by the government, medical fraternity and society to strengthen cancer prevention, early detection and accessible treatment, while stressing that emotional support must remain an integral part of cancer care.

Inaugurating the 4th BMC Chhattisgarh Cancer Conclave 2026 at Mayfair Lake Resort in Nava Raipur, Sai said the fight against cancer could not be confined to treating the disease alone. Patients, he said, also need confidence, compassion and the assurance that they are not facing the difficult journey by themselves.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai at the inauguration of the 4th BMC Chhattisgarh Cancer Conclave 2026 in Nava Raipur on September 19. BALCO Medical Centre Director Dr Bhawna Sirohi is seen at left and Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal at right. Photo: primelookindia.com via CMO

The conclave, organised by BALCO Medical Centre under the theme ‘Restoring Balance to Cancer Care’, is bringing together more than 200 national and 11 international oncology experts. BALCO Medical Centre’s published programme confirms the conclave is being held from September 18 to 20 in Nava Raipur.

Key Highlights

• CM Sai inaugurates the 4th BMC Chhattisgarh Cancer Conclave 2026 in Nava Raipur.
• More than 200 national and 11 international experts are participating.
• Sai stresses prevention, early screening, affordable treatment and emotional support for cancer patients.
• A 5,000-bed Medicity spread over nearly 100 acres is being developed in Nava Raipur, according to the Chief Minister.
• Eligible families receive treatment cover of up to ₹5 lakh under Ayushman Bharat, while the Chief Minister’s Special Health Assistance Scheme provides assistance of up to ₹25 lakh, Sai said.
• Around 34 lakh people have undergone health screening under the Mukhyamantri Swasth Bastar Abhiyan, with about 40,000 people linked to treatment after diseases were identified.
• Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal announces plans for a systematic cancer-patient database and mission-mode HPV vaccination for cervical cancer prevention.
• Sai launches a cervical cancer elimination project during the conclave.

‘Patient Must Know He Is Not Alone’

Sai said cancer affects not only the patient’s body but also the psychological, familial and financial circumstances surrounding the person, making a comprehensive approach to treatment essential.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai is felicitated during the 4th BMC Chhattisgarh Cancer Conclave 2026 in Nava Raipur as BALCO Medical Centre Director Dr Bhawna Sirohi and other representatives look on. Photo:primelookindia.com via CMO

“In the fight against cancer, along with providing modern and effective treatment, it is equally important to maintain the patient’s morale and make the patient believe that he or she is not alone in this difficult battle,” Sai said.

He underlined the importance of sensitivity in the doctor-patient relationship, saying compassionate behaviour by medical professionals and emotional support from families and society can strengthen a patient’s resolve to fight the disease.

“When doctors connect with patients with warmth and sensitivity, they do not merely treat the disease; they also become a source of confidence and courage for the patient and the family,” he said.

Early Detection Can Improve Treatment Prospects

Calling early detection one of the most important elements in the fight against cancer, Sai said the possibility of effective treatment increases considerably when the disease is detected at an early stage.

He urged experts attending the conclave to explore new technologies, research and practical measures that could help detect cancer earlier while making treatment more affordable, accessible and within the reach of ordinary citizens.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, accompanied by Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal and BALCO Medical Centre Director Dr Bhawna Sirohi, views artworks displayed during the BMC Chhattisgarh Cancer Conclave 2026 in Nava Raipur. Photo-credit:primelookindia.com via CMO

The Chief Minister said conferences of this nature provide an important platform for sharing medical experience, research and innovation and could contribute to shaping future health policies and treatment practices.

5,000-Bed Medicity Taking Shape in Nava Raipur

Sai said Chhattisgarh was steadily expanding its healthcare infrastructure. From having only one medical college when the state was formed, Chhattisgarh now has 15 government and private medical colleges, while work towards establishing five additional medical colleges is under way, according to the Chief Minister.

He highlighted the proposed 5,000-bed Medicity being developed over approximately 100 acres in Nava Raipur, saying the project would significantly expand access to specialist and super-speciality healthcare and help develop Chhattisgarh as an important centre for modern medical services.

“Healthy citizens are the strongest foundation of a developed Chhattisgarh,” Sai said, linking expansion of healthcare services with the state’s Vision 2047 objectives.

Financial Support for Treatment

The Chief Minister said the financial burden accompanying a serious illness can intensify the difficulties faced by families and that the government wants to ensure financial constraints do not prevent needy patients from obtaining treatment.

He said eligible families were receiving treatment facilities of up to ₹5 lakh under Ayushman Bharat, while the state government’s Mukhyamantri Vishesh Swasthya Sahayata Yojana provides treatment assistance of up to ₹25 lakh.

Sai also referred to efforts to improve healthcare access in geographically difficult regions such as Bastar. He said around 34 lakh people had been screened under the Mukhyamantri Swasth Bastar Abhiyan and around 40,000 people had been connected with treatment after various illnesses were detected. The screening figure is consistent with other recent accounts of the programme.

Cancer Database, HPV Vaccination Planned

Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal said the conclave offered Chhattisgarh an opportunity to benefit from the experience of cancer specialists from India and abroad.

He said BALCO Medical Centre, working with the Health Department, had conducted more than 500 health camps across the state to promote cancer awareness and encourage timely screening.

Jaiswal said the state had decided to make cancer a notifiable disease, which would facilitate creation of a systematic database of cancer patients and improve maintenance of information relating to their treatment and health.

He also said HPV vaccination for cervical cancer prevention would be taken forward in mission mode, alongside expanded screening and preventive measures.

Global Experts Discuss Future of Cancer Care

The conclave is focusing on cancer prevention, screening, treatment, research and emerging medical technologies. BALCO Medical Centre said the gathering includes international faculty from the UK, US, UAE, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Israel, Belgium, Canada and Switzerland, alongside more than 200 national and regional oncology experts. Its programme includes panel discussions, case-based sessions and workshops covering precision oncology, radiation, surgery, artificial intelligence and nuclear medicine.

During the conclave, Sai visited stalls showcasing technologies related to cancer awareness, early detection, screening, diagnosis and treatment. He also launched the cervical cancer elimination project and interacted with specialists about making new technologies more accessible, particularly for people living in remote areas.

BALCO Medical Centre Director Dr Bhawna Sirohi, Pt Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Medical College Raipur Dean Dr Vivek Choudhary, ecancer representative Dr Susannah Stanway, Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, and medical professionals, researchers and healthcare representatives from India and abroad were present.