Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], July 31 (ANI): In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a “Healthy India, Prosperous India,” the Gujarat government, led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, continues to advance healthcare services across the state. According to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office, the Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute (GCRI) in Ahmedabad has emerged as a major center for lung cancer treatment, having provided advanced care to 4,397 patients over the past five years.
Through focused initiatives and continuous innovation, Gujarat is establishing itself as a hub for medical excellence, attracting patients from across India. The GCRI has earned growing trust and recognition, as reflected in the increasing number of patients seeking lung cancer treatment each year. From 2020 to 2024, GCRI treated 3,597 men, 799 women, and one child diagnosed with lung cancer. The number of cases rose steadily over the five years: 700 in 2020, 813 in 2021, 865 in 2022, 933 in 2023, and a record 1,086 in 2024.
A key factor in expanding access to treatment has been the PMJAY-MA scheme, which has made advanced cancer care more accessible to economically weaker sections. By reducing financial burdens and ensuring timely treatment, the initiative has played a vital role in saving lives and improving outcomes.
Notably, 1,426 lung cancer patients from other states have also sought treatment in Gujarat, drawn by the state’s cutting-edge medical facilities and growing reputation for quality care. This trend underscores Gujarat’s emergence as a national leader in cancer treatment.
On the occasion of World Lung Cancer Day, the Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute urged citizens to take preventive action, emphasizing early detection and prompt treatment. The institute highlighted that over 40 percent of lung cancer cases in India are diagnosed at an advanced stage, largely due to limited public awareness.
The GCRI has appealed especially to high-risk groups—such as long-term smokers and individuals exposed to environmental pollutants—to undergo early screening using low-dose CT scans. Experts stress that timely diagnosis and swift medical intervention can significantly improve both survival rates and quality of life.
“Awareness is our greatest defense against lung cancer,” said GCRI Director Dr. Shashank Pandya. “Early screening, quitting tobacco, and recognizing warning signs can save lives. At GCRI, we are committed to providing state-of-the-art diagnostics and holistic care for every patient.”
Powered by advanced infrastructure and world-class medical expertise, Gujarat is fast becoming a preferred destination for medical tourism. The GCRI offers cancer treatment on par with global standards, using technologies such as CyberKnife, TrueBeam, TomoTherapy, and Robotic Surgery. It is also equipped with high-end diagnostic tools including Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), PET-CT, PSMA scans, and 3 Tesla MRI.
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