Kalyani group launches hospital for prostate cancer in Pune

City-based Kalyani Group, in association with Ruby Hall Clinic, announced the launch of its Institute for Prostate Cancer on Wednesday. The institute, which will concentrate on research, diagnostics, treatment and education in prostate cancer, will be located near Taj Blue Diamond Hotel, and will begin operations in three months.

The institute will be headed by New York-based Dr Ashutosh Tewari, a leading uro-oncology surgeon in the world. Addressing a media conference at the Ruby Hall Clinic on Wednesday, chairman of Kalyani group, Baba Kalyani, said that it was the group’s first venture in the medical field. Preferring not to disclose the exact financial investment made by his company in the initiative, Kalyani said, “This is a purely philanthropic activity by our group.”

In his short address to the media, Kalyani said that prostate cancer had emerged as the second biggest killer, after lung cancer, among Indian men. Hence, his company thought it appropriate to invest its resources into starting the institute. Dr Tewari, who was recently honoured with the American Urological Association’s ‘Gold cystoscope award’ for 2012, expressed concern at the growing rate of prostate cancer in India. Terming it as largely genetic in nature, Tewari said the emphasis of the institute would be on early detection and medication.

He said, “In the first year, we hope to detect at least 500 prostate cancer cases and suggest remedial medication. Our endeavour is to save as many lives as possible.” Tewari, who is a senior professor at the Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, said he would be visiting Pune at least 3-4 times a year. There would be regular visits and exchanges between doctors from New York and Pune to enhance the working of the new institute.