1995, the year I stepped into college from school. A year I made new friends, a year that brought in fresh experiences enriching my life. It is also the year I lost my paternal grandmother 'Ajji' to Oesophagus cancer. She took her last breath at the "Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology" and left all of us who loved her dearly.

Kidwai memorial was established on 26th June 1973 with bed strength of 50. It was named after
Mr.Rafi Ahmed Kidwai, the then Governor of Bombay, who donated 20 acres of land situated at Hosur Road, now called as Dr.M.H.Marigowda Road, Bangalore and Rs.1.00 lakh for the Radiotherapy machine. He was a man with a heart to serve the needy and help the victims of cancer.

KMIO is recognised as a Charitable Institute by the Endowment Department of Karnataka, considering its commitment for services to poor cancer patients. The charges levied for cancer investigations and treatment, are well with in the reach of poor patients. In cases where the total treatment cost becomes too heavy such patients are financially assisted by various schemes like Free drugs from the Institute, Karnataka Chief Minister's Medical Relief fund, Poor Patients Welfare Fund, children Welfare Fund, Kidwai Cancer Drug Foundation, etc.,. The anti-cancer drugs sold at Kidwai Cancer Drug Foundation' are 40 to 60% cheaper than the market rates.

The annual budget of the Institute is about Rs.19 Crores out of which about Rs.9.50 Crores in spent on Salaries and Administrative over heads. The other items essential for patient care and hospital maintenance are drugs, diet, linen, surgical sutures, x-ray films, blood bank materials, laboratory reagents, hospital necessaries, water & electricity, maintenance of medical equipments and hospital buildings, replacement of obsolete equipments, etc., which cost annually at about Rs.9.50 Crores.

KMIO is recognised as one of the regional cancer centres by the Government of India. Patients not only from Karnataka but also from the adjacent areas of the neighboring States of Tamilnadu, Andra Pradesh, etc., In case of the latter the patients number is about 40% of the total no. of patients treated. The Government of Karnataka is extending substantial financial support to the Institute through Grant-in-Aid, annually, to the extent of about Rs. 10.00 Crores. Annually the Government of India is releasing Rs.75.00 lakhs for purchase of Medical equipments. Since the Institute is levying treatment charges at a very reasonable rate the revenue earned out of it is not substantial for the maintenance of the Hospital. Donations will get tax exemption benefits under section 80G TT Act.

The magnitude of the problem of cancer in the Indian Sub-Continent in terms of sheer number is most alarming. The number of estimated new cases of cancer in India per year is nearly 6.5 lakhs and at the start of the next millennium is estimated to be 806.000. The Cancer in women in the Indian Sub-continent constitutes more than 50% of the total cancer. The most common cancer observed by Indian registries are those related to tobacco usage in males while among females, the most common cancer are those of the Uterine Cervix, Breast and Oral cavity. In Karnataka, it is estimated that annually there are about 35,000 incident cancers whereas, the prevalent cancer accounts to about 1,50,000.

If you take a BMTC from Majestic to any place via Nimhans, you'll always see many people get off the bus at the Nimhans/Kidwai stop. Brings you to think about the amount of suffering around and be grateful for your own and your family & friend's well-being.

A humble request to anyone who smokes- “Please quit smoking”.
Life is short, why do you want to risk ending it?

Facts courtesy: Kidwai website