Help a poor patient fight cancer by Charutar Arogya Mandal

Our cancer centre, is the only major destination for patients of the Anand & Khera districts. On a daily basis, approximately 120 patients visit our OPD. We have a team of 3 Full-time Radiation Oncologists, 2 full-time Medical Oncologists, 1 Full-time Onco Surgeon, 1 full-time head and neck surgeon & 1 part-time head and neck surgeon, 1 full-time Gynec Oncologist, 1 full-time hemato oncologist. We are in the process of upgrading our Linear Accelerator which will cost INR 12 crores. In the last 18 years, the centre has served approx. 30,000 patients, suffering from different stages of cancer.

Area Covered: Mainly the Anand and Kheda districts of Gujarat which are tobacco producing areas. However Cancer patients from other districts of the state as well as neighbouring states such as Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra also come to the Hospital for treatment.

Tobacco is not only produced in this region in large quantities, but is also consumed through various means in large quantities. Under our Extension services, 150 villages of Anand, Kheda and Panchmahal districts are covered for non communicable diseases, wherein village health workers reach out to the last mile for early detection of the diseases including cancer, so that the disease can be cured/treated before it spreads further and becomes fatal. Shree Krishna Hospital serves as the tertiary treatment unit for the purpose.

During January - June 2022, the Cancer Centre of Shree Krishna Hospital had 19458 admissions (OPD) out of which around 4339 patients admitted (IPD) in the hospital, from which 301 patients required Chemotherapy cycles and 374 patients were put on radiation therapy and 236 onco surgeries performed. This programme has impacted over 19,000 people. Several of these patients have gone back treated. The recovery from such a dreaded disease like cancer is like re-birth. This provides a great relief to the family members as in most of the cases the patient is the sole breadwinner of the family.

No specific challenges

Shri Punambhai Mahijibhai Thakor

Punambhai Mahijibhai Thakor lives with his small family at Fagani village of Anand district. He is a daily farm wage worker while his son is an autodriver. His wife is a housewife. He loves his small family. He had severe cough and unable to swallow the food. He understood that there was a major problem. So he came to Shree Krishna hospital which is near to his village.

He was examined by the doctor and investigations were done. The biopsy proved that he had cancer in left submandibular region. He required surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy and the estimated cost was explained. However, now that the patient is bedridden, and can no longer work. Their earnings are meagre and just enough to fulfill the daily needs. The family does not have any other source of income. As their socioeconomic status is low, they will not be able to bear the high cost of treatment. But due to his humble background, it was decided to treat him with concessional rate.

He underwent left composite resection, neck dissection with fibular flap reconstruction and segmental mandibulectomy. He took 32 radiation and 6 chemotherapy sessions. He has competed his long treatment. Thanks for your contribution. The family members have expressed their sincere gratitude to you for your contribution. We look forward to receiving your continued support.

Milestones and events: Our 18-year old Cancer Centre is equipped with 2 linear accelerators with Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) capability for radiation therapy, brachytherapy, bone marrow transplantation and a daycare centre for chemotherapy treatment. To enhance diagnostic capabilities, a 3 Tesla MRI machine was installed in May 2018, which enables early detection of tumours, stones, and growths. The old brachytherapy machine was replaced by a new one in August 2020. Even during the COVID-19 Pandemic, our hospital and its cancer center, cardiac center, dialysis centre, and emergency OPDs were kept open for the patients. Our Cancer Centre is registered on the National Cancer Grid, which is a distinction and a recognition of the extensive work being done at the Centre.

Area Covered: mainly the Anand and Kheda districts of Gujarat, which are tobacco-producing areas. However, cancer patients from other districts of the state as well as neighbouring states such as Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra also come to the hospital for treatment. Tobacco is not only produced in this region in large quantities, but is also consumed through various means in large quantities. Under our extension services, 150 villages in Anand, Kheda, and Panchmahal districts are covered for non-communicable diseases, wherein village health workers reach out to the last mile for early detection of diseases including cancer, so that the disease can be cured or treated before it spreads further and becomes fatal. Shree Krishna Hospital serves as the tertiary treatment unit for the practice.

Number of people impacted? How were they impacted or helped? Last year, the Cancer Centre of Shree Krishna Hospital had 36,097 admissions, out of which around 3,200 patients required chemotherapy cycles, another 4,000 patients were put on radiation therapy, and 545 patients underwent oncosurgery, of which 2,200 were new patients. Considering a five-member family unit and half of the cases requiring both chemotherapy and radiation therapy, cancer treatment could be considered to have impacted over 20,000 people as a whole. Several of these patients have gone back for treatment. The recovery from such a dreaded disease like cancer is like a re-birth. This provides great relief to the family members, at the same time saving the life of the sole bread-winner of the family and providing a rebirth for the patient.

The COVID-19 pandemic spread across 213 countries, including India, infecting thousands of people and resulting in thousands of deaths worldwide. Shree Krishna Hospital, being the largest charitable private hospital in the region between Ahmedabad and Vadodara, was identified as a "Designated COVID-19 District Hospital" for treatment of COVID-19 cases. The 120-bed Waymade Critical Care Centre was initially dedicated to COVID treatment. In the first surge, as we began getting more patients, we kept on expanding the COVID treatment infrastructure, finally reaching a total of 280 beds in different categories, equipped with patient monitoring and treatment facilities, including the step-down beds.

The second surge was more vicious than the first one, in terms of intensity and spread. For over a month, there was a rush of incoming patients from across the state and elsewhere, as other hospitals were full and refused to accept any more patients. As the number of patients increased, we opened new wards by modifying our existing ones, while at the same time preparing more areas in case they are required. At one stage, the hospital had a total of 600 admitted COVID patients, with over 100 of them on ventilator support and most of them on oxygen supplementation. Our emergency wing was transformed into a 30-bed ICU. As ambulances lined up with patients waiting to be admitted, we set up a 50-bed field hospital with doctors and nurses working round the clock, free food for patients, and volunteers from a local NGO providing oxygen cylinders, thereby ensuring that no patient was ever turned away.

By now the hospital has successfully tackled two surges of the Corona infections, treating over 10,000 patients. What we could achieve was through the dedication and commitment of our team, along with substantial donor support. We are working on a multi-pronged strategy to manage the crisis, which is likely to last a long time and keep recurring till the virulence of the virus is diminished.

At 60, Popatbhai, who lives in Kasor Village in Anand District and did labor work all his life, no longer goes to work, as his two sons, Sanjay and Satish, feel he should now rest at home considering his deteriorating health. Both the youths work as daily farm wagers to support the family. Sanjay is married to Geeta and they have two children, Nitesh and Mukesh, who study in 5th and 3rd class, respectively, in the village school. Geeta is very soft-spoken and takes good care of the family. Her day begins very early as she ensures that Sanjay and Satish reach the workplace on time after having their breakfast and carrying their tiffin with them.

Satish, the younger brother, is 33 and is unmarried. In his free time, he sits at a nearby pan shop with his friends, sharing gutkha masala as a pastime while chatting around. He gets ulcers in his mouth that heal after a few days. He does not know why ulcers occur and ignores them. A couple of times, the local doctor prescribed medicines for pain relief and healing of the ulcer, which helped.

However, one morning, his left cheek developed swelling and pain. Sanjay took him to a local clinic. The physician advised investigations at Shree Krishna Hospital, Karamsad. Here, the doctor in the OPD, after examination, advised him to undergo a biopsy test. Satish, carefree as ever, did not suspect anything serious. However, when the oncologist told him that he had oral cancer, he was shocked. So was his family. He was diagnosed as suffering from squamous cell carcinoma of the left buccal mucosa. He now had difficulty swallowing food and was in unbearable pain.

As advised by the oncologist, he was admitted on September 9th, 2021 for detailed tests once again. After reviewing his reports, the doctor advised that he would have to undergo surgery involving composite resection, pedicle flap reconstruction, and microvascular reconstruction surgery, along with chemotherapy and radiation therapy cycles. Popatbhai and his family prayed for him to emerge from this sudden crisis. They did not have enough resources to cover the cost of treatment, which was another concern. Somehow they managed to pay for the surgery, which took place on September 17th, and which also included an Anterolateral thigh free flap procedure in addition to the resection and reconstruction procedures. He was put on oxygen support for a few days. Satish still had to undergo daily dressing and a ward stay for observation. After a month of treatment, when Satish was being discharged, the doctor gave them the follow-up treatment plan and costs for the chemotherapy and radiation therapy cycles that the youth would have to undergo.

They had exhausted all their resources. His brother had also borrowed from friends and relatives. As they did not have enough funds, they did not show up at the hospital. As a follow-up plan on the hospital's part, one of the counselors from the Cancer Center called the patient's brother Sanjay to find out why they were not reporting for further treatment. Sanjay explained that they had no funds left, confessed their inability to pay the bills, and informed the counselor that the family had therefore decided that the operation was enough. The Mandal team asked for pertinent details and reviewed their family profile. They conveyed the decision to the family that the Mandal would now support further treatment cycles backed by its own resources and the support given by donors like you.

He has so far completed 6 chemotherapy cycles, the surgery was successful, and he is responding well. The patient and his family are indebted and thankful to Mandal, its donors, and the doctors for their timely help.

Milestone & events:Our 18 year old Cancer Centre is equipped with 2 Linear Accelerators with Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) capability for radiation therapy, Brachytherapy, Bone marrow transplant and a Daycare Centre for chemotherapy treatment. To enhance diagnostic capabilities, a 3 Tesla MRI machine was installed in May 2018, which enables early detection of tumours, stones and their growths. The old Brachytherapy machine was replaced by a new one in August 2020. Even during the COVID-19 Pandemic, our Hospital and its Cancer centre, Cardiac centre, Dialysis Centre and Emergency OPDs were kept open for the patients. Our Cancer Centre is registered on the National Cancer Grid, which is a distinction and a recognition of the extensive work being done at the Centre. Areas Covered:Mainly the Anand and Kheda districts of Gujarat which are tobacco producing areas. However, Cancer patients from other districts of the state as well as neighbouring states such as Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra also come to the Hospital for treatment. Tobacco is not only produced in this region in large quantities, but is also consumed through various means in large quantities. Under our Extension services, 150 villages of Anand, Kheda and Panchmahal districts are covered for non communicable diseases, wherein village health workers reach out to the last mile for early detection of the diseases including cancer, so that the disease can be cured/treated before it spreads further and becomes fatal. Shree Krishna Hospital serves as the tertiary treatment unit for the purpose. Last year, the Cancer Centre of Shree Krishna Hospital had 36,097 admissions out of which around 3,200 patients required Chemotherapy cycles and 4,000 patients were put on Radiation therapy and 545 onco-surgery of which 2,200 were new patients. Considering a 5 member family unit and half of the cases requiring both Chemotherapy and radiation therapy, the Cancer treatment could be considered to have impacted over 20,000 people as a whole. Several of these patients have gone back treated. The recovery from such a dreaded disease like cancer is like re-birth. This provides a great relief to the family members, at time saving the life of the sole bread-winner of the family and a rebirth for the patient.

The COVID-19 pandemic has spread across countries, infecting thousands of people and has resulted in over 44,63,845 deaths worldwide, with 4,36,365 deaths in India as on date. Shree Krishna Hospital, being the largest charitable private Hospital in the region between Ahmedabad and Vadodara, was identified as a 'Designated COVID-19 District Hospital' for treatment of COVID-19 cases. The 120 ICU beds made Critical Care Centre, initially dedicated for COVID treatment. In the 1st Surge, as we began getting more patients, we kept on expanding the COVID treatment infrastructure, finally reaching a total of 280 beds in different categories equipped with patient Monitoring and treatment facility, including the step-down beds. The 2nd surge was more vicious than the first one, in terms of intensity and spread. For over a month, there was rush of incoming patients from across the state and elsewhere as other Hospitals were full and refused to accept any more patients. As the number of patients increased, we opened new wards by modifying our existing ones, while at the same time preparing more areas in case required. At one stage, the Hospital had a total of 600 admitted COVID patients with over 100 of them on Ventilator support and most of them on Oxygen supplementation. Our Emergency wing was transformed into a 30-bed ICU. As ambulances lined up with patients waiting to be admitted, we set up a 50 bed Field Hospital with doctors & nurses working round the clock, free food for patients, volunteers from a local NGO providing Oxygen cylinders and thereby ensured that no patient was ever turned away. By now the Hospital has successfully tackled two surges of the Corona infections, treated over 9000 patients. It may be appreciated that what we could achieve was through the dedication and commitment of our team alongwith with substantial donor support. It is realized that donor support is essential to help us steer through such difficult times when the resources are being stretched. As we prepare for the next Surge, we need to be more prepared than earlier to effectively meet the challenge. The facilities we have so far created would be of immense help in dealing with it. However, we are now working on a multi-pronged strategy to manage the crisis which is likely to last long and keep recurring till the virulence of the virus is diminished.

Impact story: Mohammadhanif Thakor lives in Bhalej village of Umreth Taluka, Dist Anand of Gujarat State. He works as a security guard in a Private firm to support a 5 member family - his parents, wife Samina Banu and children Sadaf Jahan and Safvan who study in 5th & 2nd class respectively. In security duty, he has to work in shifts, sometimes also on holidays. Due to his uneven schedule, he is barely able to spare time with his family. However his wife Samina Banu is patient and of an understanding nature. She takes good care of the family.One day in November 2020, 7-year old Safvan looked frail, his eyes yellowish. The next day he had fever. He could not eat well and could hardly move out of his bed. He was taken to the local Hospital where the doctor examined him and prescribed medicines for fever, mentioning that the boy looked anaemic. He was advised to have proper food. However, after a week's observations, when Safvan begun to vomit, cry out due to muscular pain and muscle cramps, family friends advised that he should be taken to Shree Krishna Hospital. Basic tests revealed that there was lack of enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to his body's tissues. The Doctor suspected something serious. Further tests were carried out which included bone marrow biospsy. Safvan was admitted to the Paediactric ward. He was provided with blood component transfusion such as platelet concentrate, as he was found to have only 3 percent white blood cells. He was finally diagnosed to be suffering from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia(ALL), a blood cancer which attacks the WBCs. He was shifted to the Bone Marrow Transplant Centre for the first dose of chemotherapy as part of the treatment plan which was explained by the Oncologist to the parents alongwith the cost involved.An ordinary security guard, Mohammad Hanif found the treatment elaborate and the cost unaffordable. Safvan was dear to him and his family. He asked for more time to arrange funds for the treatment. They returned home with Safvan, heartbroken. Would he lose the 7-year old boy, he wondered? The grand-parents and parents could not sleep for several days in the anxiety to manage the situation. They could also not see their only son suffering in pain. Since the parents did not turn up for treatment, after nearly 2 months they got a call from the Hospital for a follow up visit. The parents began weeping when the doctor asked them why they had been silent for such a long period. They expressed their helplessness. The Mandal studied their family background in detail and agreed to help for the treatment of little Safvan with the help of potential donors and concessions offered at the Hospital. He was treated nearly for 6 months and underwent 35 chemotherapy cycles, 15 Injections to produce healthy blood cells and put on a liquid diet. Currently, he is under antibiotic support and is in a stable condition. The parents are grateful to the donors, Mandal and doctors who supported them and helped throughout Safvan’s treatment – his journey through the dreaded disease. The family is hopeful of his returning to normal life.

1. Problem
   Anand and Kheda districts of Gujarat are tobacco producing areas, and as a result, tobacco is not only produced in large quantities, but is also consumed through various means in large quantities. This, together with the fact that cancer is a disease that can be cured if diagnosed early, had prompted Charutar Arogya Mandal to initiate its cancer education, awareness and early detection programmes in over 900 villages in 1999 in collaboration with the Tribhuvandas Foundation, an NGO working in maternal and infant care. The Mandal, through the project period of 10 years, has trained village health workers of Tribhuvandas Foundation in educating the community regarding cancer and benefits of early detection. These workers have also been trained in diagnosing early symptoms of cancer so that they can send those they suspect to Shree Krishna Hospital for further examination. Through its continuing extension activities in over 150 villages of Anand, Kheda and Panchmahal districts under the TATA Trusts sponsored Programme for NCDs, their efforts have continued and have been intensified. When the Project was first launched in 1999, the increasing number of cancer cases being detected led to the realisation that there had to be diagnostic and treatment facilities within the hospital that matched the best in the field. At the time, there was no facility available for treatment of cancer except in Ahmedabad.

Needy and economically less privileged families who are barely able to make the two ends meet with their meagre incomes first draw down their own savings and liquidate assets to meet treatment costs. Borrowings and financial aid from various communities, groups and friends, family and the state would be the next resort. Despite this, many people have to discontinue treatment, unable to bear the financial burden. This puts them through the grappling experience of having to helplessly watch a loved one painfully inch towards death. This is where donors and donor organizations could step in to save a precious life and prevent the family from falling into a abyss of debt which could last for over a generation in some cases.

2. Solution
   In the backdrop as explained above, the Mandal established the M.S. Patel Cancer Centre, a state-of-the-art facility with Radiation & Medical Oncology services in the year 2004. The Centre which was funded by Sir Dorabji Tata Trust was started with facilities for radiation and medical oncology, two Linear Accelerator, CT Simulation, 3-D Treatment Planning System, Image Guided Brachytherapy for Radiation and a full fledged Day Care Facility for the Chemotherapy. Since its inauguration by Shri Ratan Tata, the Centre has, over the last 16 years, earned the goodwill not only of the local community but also remote areas of the State.

As a result of increasing workload at the Centre over these years, and in view of the complexities of the cases received, it was necessary to add to the facilities for the radiation oncology. This was achieved with the installation of a new Linear Accelerator received with fund support from the Tata Trusts and having distinct features such as Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT). Considering the growing requirement for Bone Marrow Transplant procedures for blood cancers and other blood disorders such as thalassemia, the Bone Marrow Transplant facility was added in 2015 to the Cancer Centre, completing the array of Oncology services at the Hospital. Taking into account the increased inflow of patients, one more advanced Linear Accelerator was added in 2017. To enhance diagnostic capabilities, a 3 Tesla MRI machine was installed in May 2018, which enables early detection of tumours, stones and growths. The old Brachytherapy machine was replaced by a new one of Varian make in August 2020.

3. Impact
   The Centre, with its modern facilities and a compassionate team of clinical and para-clinical staff as well as social workers, is proving to be one of the best options available for the treatment of cancer across the state. The M.S. Patel Cancer Centre is registered on the National Cancer Grid, which is a distinction and a recognition of the extensive work being done at the Centre. Last year, the Centre of the hospital had 36097 admissions out of which around 3200 patients required Chemotherapy cycles and 4000 patients were put on Radiation therapy and 545 onco surgery of which 2200 are new patients.

Though the Centre is functional in the Anand and Kheda districts of Gujarat, it has registered patients not only from various districts of Gujarat but also from other states which include MP, Rajasthan and UP. The Centre has been receiving patients from all strata of society, out of which there are many who would not have pursued the expensive treatment of cancer, had the Mandal and the donors not supported them financially. The Centre, with the most modern technology and a range of experienced and compassionate experts and cancer caregivers has evolved as a shelter to numerous needy victims of the disease.

A New Lease of Life

A Mobile Health Clinic Vanwas donated by Dr Jayantibhai G Patel, in memory of Late Smt. Ramaben Patel for the SPARSH programme in a function which was organised on 27th December 2019 which reaches out with health-care solutions, related to non-communicable diseases in an around 150 villages of Anand and Kheda districts of Gujarat state. Because of this various initiatives such
as camps, awareness programmes and interactions with students were conducted. This Van is equipped with a fundus camera, Vibrotherm, ECG machine, facilities to check Hb1Ac, medicine dispensing etc. and is expected to cover 50 villages around Sevaliya.This will help us in early diagnosis and examination of diabetic patients through these village camps.

Chemotherapy sessions being given

Program Update

For over 2 years now, in 450 of its beds located in the “Ashirward wards”,
treatment has been made free. Admitted patients have to bear only the cost
of pharmacy and consumables. While undergoing surgery, these patients spend
only half to one third of the amount charged by other private Hospitals.
Our own as well as government schemes are being implemented to provide
succour to needy patients in terms of concession in treatment costs, which
annually amounts to over Rs 26 crores which is supported by generous
contributions from donors. It is only through the constant support and
generosity of donors that we have been able to do the kind of work that
benefits the community at large. We look forward to your continued support.

Story from the field

A family of five members lives in Tranja village of Kheda district. Chandubhai and his son Sureshbhai both work as daily farm wager, each earning Rs. 150 per day struggle to meet the daily needs of the family. Ambuben and her daughter-in-law Neetaben take care of the children and remain busy in the household chores. Suddenly one day, Neetaben felt sick. The next day she had pain while having dinner with family and on examination she noticed ulcers in the mouth. She was unable to eat properly. They visited a doctor in Nadiad who suggested biopsy. The biopsy report indicated to a cancer of the oral Cavity- squamous cell carcinoma of right lateral border of the tongue. This unexpected news broke the family's peace in just one day. She was advised to take liquids and referred to the cancer centre of Shree Krishna Hospital. Karamsad for further confirmation of diagnosis and treatment. The Oncologist examined her and suggested the immediate surgery to stop the spread of cancer. He also explain that the cost of surgery, medicine, followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy will be around Rs. 2 lakhs. Sureshbhai became worried and tense. He started arranging the money for her treatment from the friends and relatives but it was not enough. Two surgeries were performed on 31st October and 5th November,2018. When they pooled and exhausted all possible sources of funding for her treatment. Chandubhai expressed his difficulty to the Hospital staff. The Mandal team studied the socio-economic background of the family and considered that the family was indeed underprivileged and can not afford further treatment. It was decided to support Neetaben for her chemotherapy cycles through the support given by donors like you.

Program Update

1. The Foundation Day of the Charutar Argoya Mandal was celebrated on 27th July, 2018 with narratives from patients, doctors, staff and facilitators. Employees who have completed 25 years of service were felicitated. In his address, Shri Sandeep Desai, CEO while thanking donors for their generous support to the Mandal, mentioned that less privileged patients were provided a relief to the extent of 25 percent of the Hospital income, through the various health-care schemes implemented at the Hospital.


2. The Foundation Day of the Manibhai Shivabhai Patel Cancer Centre was celebrated on 27th August, 2018. It was attended by cancer patients who shared their success stories and participated in the cultural events. Dr Rushi Panchal summarized the achievements of the Centre over the years and the expertise it offers to patients especially on consistent focussed radiation therapy, and brachytheraphy which makes the Centre unique. Ms Margaretwambu Macharia from Kenya, whose aunt has been flown in from Kenya for treatment appreciated the treatment being provided and the compassionate service by the Cancer Centre team. She also added that the Hospital is a great example of providing affordable quality healthcare to rural people.

Story from the field

Near the Bhathiji temple in Chikhodra, a village on the outskirts of Anand in Gujarat, there lives a large family in a small thatched roof hut. The head of the family, Jivabhai is 55 years old. He has two sons, both married and having children. The 8 member family manages life in their own way through the income of Jivabhai and two sons daily farm wagers. Every morning they leave the house with the lunch tiffin and return in the evening. The young kids are the source of happiness for the family as they play around in the morning when breakfast is getting ready, and in the evening when all the family members gather after work.Three generations live together and enjoy a simple, modest life. Jivabhai's wife Shardaben along with her two daughters-in-laws takes good care of the family. Shardaben has a complaint. Jivabhai doesn't listen to her when she advises him to stop consuming tobacco. Initially, when he felt a stiffness in his jaw and had difficulty in opening his mouth wide, his sons Kamlesh and Harshad also suggested that he should heed to the advice of their mother. It made no difference as Jivabhai was addicted and could not give up. In May 2018 Jivabhai noticed an ulcer in his mouth and felt a burning sensation on his tongue. He had difficulty in swallowing food. They went to a nearby Clinic where the doctor, after examination, gave some medicines and advised him to go to Shree Krishna Hospital, Karamsad for further diagnosis. The Oncologist at the Cancer centre of the Shree Krishna Hospital concluded based on the biopsy test that Jivabhai had Cancer of the Tongue. Jivabhai began weeping and felt sorry that he had not listened to his family members, when they advised him not to take tobacco.The doctor worked out a schedule for operation, chemotherapy and radiation therapy and explained to the family the consequences and treatment cost involved. The family was in distress, They realised that they would lose Jivabhai to Cancer simply because they could not afford the treatment. The spectre of the painful treatment was another aspect they would have to deal with. When they described their difficulty to the Hospital staff, they were reassured that the Mandal would try to help. With the help and support of donors like you, the Hospital offered them treatment at subsidized cost. Jivabhai has undergone an operation and subsequently 16 radiation therapy cycles. He still has to undergo 16 more cycles before a final evaluation. He is showing signs of recovery. His family is hopeful that he will fully recovery one day.

Around 2000 residents of Anand, Vidyanagar and Karamsad participated in the third healthy heart Walkathon organized by Charutar Arogya Mandal on the occasion of Bhanubhai and Madhuben Patel Cardiac Centre’s Foundation Day at the Shree Krishna Hospital in October. The purpose behind the walkathon was to create awareness about the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle.
An exclusive library, The Knowledge Centre was built for the students of the Pramukh Swami Medical College and other educational institutions managed by the Mandal. World Diabetes Day was celebrated at Shree Krishna Hospital on 14 November 2017 with the theme 'Woman and Diabetes', on the occasion of which, female employees of the Mandal were addressed on care, treatment and preventive measures for Diabetes.
Six students of the MBBS 2012 batch of the Pramukhswami Medical College got together and donated a wheelchair to the Cancer Centre from their savings, after performing at the annual cultural event of their college on a Cancer related theme, where they used a wheel chair as a prop. When they had clinical postings in the Palliative Care and ICU, they felt this would be the best way to make a difference.