Ratan Tata’s legacy: Revolutionizing cancer care in India, one hospital at a time
The Tata Group’s entry into the healthcare sector began in 1941 with the establishment of Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai.
This is why Ratan Tata, the veteran who led more than 30 companies in more than 100 countries, was never included in the list of “billionaires” of the world or India.
Today, when we remember this “humble” tycoon for his significant contributions to philanthropy – long before India had heard of Bill Gates – his work in the field of cancer research in India is especially commendable.
Long before the world recognized the importance of philanthropy, Ratan Tata was quietly making a difference.
The Tata Group’s entry into the healthcare sector began in 1941 with the establishment of Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai. This was no ordinary hospital; It was a sanctuary of care for all, regardless of their background.
With this commitment, the foundation of a revolution in cancer treatment in India was laid – something unheard of at that time. In 1962, the management of the hospital was handed over to the Ministry of Health.
Tata knew that cancer treatment had to reach everyone. High costs meant that many people could not afford care. Tata Memorial Hospital earned its name for providing free or economically viable treatment.
“Now, several Tata Memorial Centers have opened in Varanasi, Muzaffarpur, Punjab and Visakhapatnam. The Tata Trusts have a great legacy of building facilities across the country for the treatment of cancer patients. In 1992, bone marrow transplantation was pioneered by them in India. About 1,000 cancer patients are seen there every day, and about two-thirds are treated free of charge, a major contribution of the Tata Trust and the Tata family to cancer care in the country. “His philanthropic contribution should be acknowledged,” said Dr Shyam Agarwal, head of medical oncology at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi.
In 2012, the Trust launched the Tata Medical Center in Kolkata to address the high prevalence of cancer and lack of suitable facilities in the eastern and north-eastern regions.
Tata Trusts is expanding its network to 20 hospitals across seven states: Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and Gujarat.
Fast forward to 2017, when Ratan’s passion and dedication led to the launch of an ambitious cancer care program through the Tata Trusts. This program introduced a groundbreaking concept: the “distributed cancer care model.” Imagine a world where cancer care was accessible, affordable and of high quality – this was Ratan’s dream.
Ratan Tata knew that his dream extended beyond Mumbai. Part of this project included the establishment of new cancer hospitals in Assam and Uttar Pradesh. State governments were also assisted by Ratan Tata in setting up cancer hospitals and treatment facilities in smaller cities and towns.
Ratan Tata was well aware of the statistics: more than 70% of cancer cases in India were diagnosed in late stages. With this knowledge, he set an ambitious goal – to reverse that ratio from 30:70 to 70:30.
To make this dream a reality, Ratan and his team built a vast network of cancer care centres, daycare facilities and screening kiosks. Knowing that financial barriers often prevent people from seeking treatment, he pushed for the inclusion of these services in government insurance schemes, changing the landscape of cancer care in India.
Recently, the Tata Institute in Mumbai claimed to have discovered a treatment that can prevent cancer from recurring with a single pill costing just Rs 100.
Researchers and doctors at the institute worked for 10 years and have now developed a tablet they claim can prevent cancer recurrence and reduce the side effects of treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy by about 50%.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma condoled the demise of Ratan Tata and highlighted his transformative impact on the state through initiatives in cancer care and establishment of semiconductor industry.
Tata’s commitment to Assam was demonstrated through several key initiatives, including the establishment of the Assam Cancer Care Foundation, which aims to enhance healthcare services in the state.
According to the latest IIFL Wealth Hurun India Rich List of 2022, Ratan Tata is ranked 421st with a net worth of around Rs 3,800 crore. However, the Tata group companies have handed over their assets to Tata Trust, which holds two-thirds of Tata Sons.
According to available information, about 60% of Tata Sons’ dividends are allocated to charitable efforts.
“As we remember Ratan Tata, his work in revolutionizing cancer care is a testament to his vision, compassion and commitment to improving the lives of millions of people,” said Dr. Mohit Saxena said.
“Under Tata’s leadership, the Trusts launched impactful awareness campaigns such as ‘Kaise Ka Cancer’ and ‘Gaant pe Dhyan’,” he said. The comprehensive approach of the program includes community-based cancer screening, training of healthcare providers, tobacco control Initiatives and leveraging technology for better patient management.”
As we reflect on Ratan Tata’s remarkable journey, we see a life dedicated to compassion and change. Without Tata’s legacy, the advancement of cancer treatment by Indians for Indians would probably have been a distant and very expensive dream.
