Merck India has announced its support to Sri Shankara Cancer Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that provides state-of-the-art treatment at affordable costs to cancer patients irrespective of their socio economic status.
 
The company is equipping one Operation Theatre (OT)with advanced  equipment, in the 250 bedded cancer hospital being constructed by the foundation in the heart of Bengaluru. Around 30% of all the operations done in this theatre will either be at subsidized cost or would be completely free for patients from an economically weaker background.
 
The new OT will support procedures like oral maxillofacial surgeries, general oncology surgeries, soft tissue and bone oncology procedures among others. With increasing awareness, this cancer hospital by Sri Shankara Foundation is likely to receive large numbers of underprivileged patients from different parts of the country.
 
Speaking on the occasion, Anand Nambiar, managing director, Merck Ltd. said “Access to health programs are an integral part of the corporate responsibility of Merck. We believe in extending our expertise through collaborations with responsible organizations,and jointly developing need-based and locally relevant solutions.”
 
“The growing incidence of cancer has become a big threat to the health of our nation. Lack of sufficient infrastructure to manage the increasing patient loads and the high costs of long term hospitalization and treatment, have led to treatment becoming increasingly inaccessible for the common people. We are pleased to partner with the ‘Shri Shankara Foundation’ for this initiative that strives to help some of the patients who lack access to diagnostics and treatment of cancer,” he added.
 
Merck India chief handed over the donation to the trustees of the foundation for setting up the operation theatre for cancer patients.
 
Dr B S Srinath, managing trustee of Sri Shankara Cancer Foundation said “The need of the hour in India is increased awareness about cancer cure and the availability of high quality affordable treatment. With the enhanced capabilities in the new OT we will strive to make cancer treatment available to many more needy patients in Bangalore, and to those coming from other parts of the country.”