Cancer is a worldwide life-threatening disease, and it takes a heavy toll of humanity and money. In Bihar, about 1.4 Lakh people are diagnosed every year as per ICMR, with a decadal increase of over 25%. Bihar is considered as a high burden state in this matter with more than 60% patients are diagnosed at an advanced state.
The Government has already set up a State Cancer Institute (SCI) in Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS), Patna and Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Center (HBCH&RC), Muzaffarpur in Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) Campus to provide cancer care facilities in government sector. Moreover, Screening, Day Care Cancer Center and Palliative care Services are also being provided through NP-NCD Programme. A first of its kind 100 bedded palliative care center at HBCH & RC Muzaffarpur has also been sanctioned. An ambitious free HPV vaccination programme has also been launched by the state govt.
However, these isolated efforts needed to be monitored by a single platform and futuristic planning was also a need of the hour. Hence, In the view of the above facts and felt need of an integrated system of Cancer care and research in the State, the government of Bihar has constituted a dedicated body namely Bihar Cancer Care and Research Society (BCCRS) under Health Department vide resolution number 687(12), dated 23.05.2025.
“Bihar Cancer Care & Research Society” (BCCRS) is registered as a Society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (1860 of Act No XXI) on 10th June 2025, having its registered office at Swasthya Bhavan, Sheikhpura, Patna-800014.
Vision of the BCCRS is to prepare the state of Bihar for future needs of Cancer Care & Management by strengthening Cancer Care infrastructure, Human Resource development (both immediate as well as future requirements of skilled oncology workforce) and development of a conducive ecosystem to improve overall oncology care services for the cancer patients and their relatives.
Society will focus on strengthening comprehensive cancer care services comprising of Cancer awareness, Cancer prevention, Onco-diagnostic, Onco-treatment services, Palliative care, Rehabilitative care, Oncology Research & Academic activities in the state of Bihar. All these will lead to reducing out of pocket expenditure and increasing the access to affordable & quality cancer care services for every citizens of Bihar state.
| Designation | Member |
|---|---|
| Health Minister | Chairperson |
| ACS/Secretary Health | Vice-Chairperson |
| CEO, BCCRS | Member Secretary |
| Special Secretary Health | Member |
| Jt Secretary Finance | Member |
| MD, BMSICL | Member |
| ED, SHS Bihar | Member |
| CEO, Bihar Swasthya Suraksha Samiti | Member |
| ED, Bihar Ayush Samiti | Member |
| Director, Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Muzaffarpur | Member |
| Project Director, Bihar State AIDS Control Society | Member |
Dr Ravikant Singh
Officer In-Charge cum Associate Professor in Preventive Oncology Department,
HBCH&RC, Muzaffarpur
Dr Ravi Byahut
HoD, Radiotherapy Department,
PMCH Patna
Vision:
“To create a healthcare system in Bihar, where every individual has access to world-class Comprehensive Cancer Care Service”
Aim:
“To provide comprehensive cancer care to all citizens of Bihar State through our motto of excellence in Service (सेवा), Education (शिक्षा) and Research (शोध).”
With this vision and aim, we have adopted the following strategy to achieve the above-mentioned objective:
Early detection is the key to success in the fight against cancer. Hence this strategy aims at:
Cancer Screening and Awareness programmes will be launched across all districts with training of ASHA and Anganwadi workers in collaboration with HBCH&RC Muzaffarpur, PCI, DFY etc.
Onco-lab facilities are available at HBCH&RC Muzaffarpur, SCI IGIMS Patna, AIIMS Patna. PMCH Patna will have facilities by 2026-27. DMCH Darbhanga, GMCH Purnia, JLNMCH Bhagalpur, ANMCH Gaya, NMCH Patna are being strengthened.
Preventive Oncology research will be promoted through expert groups from AIIMS Patna, IGIMS Patna, HBCH&RC Muzaffarpur and MCHRC Patna.
Day Care Cancer Centers are being established in district hospitals and CHCs. Skilled manpower training institutes will be developed, especially at HBCH&RC Muzaffarpur.
Radiotherapy expansion is planned considering Bihar’s population (~14 crore). New RT centers will be set up at GMCH Purnia, DMCH Darbhanga, JLNMCH Bhagalpur and ANMCH Gaya.
PET-CT scan facilities will be expanded beyond Patna to all divisional headquarters.