Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis delivered a compelling message at the ‘Oncology Beyond Borders’ conference in Nagpur on February 14: to truly defeat cancer, we must prioritize prevention and rapid detection alongside conventional treatments.
Addressing global leaders at the National Cancer Institute’s event, he pointed to the sharp escalation in cancer cases during the past decade, marking it as a top healthcare priority. ‘Our progress in health services is commendable, but cancer transcends national borders and demands a unified global response,’ Fadnavis declared.
He emphasized that no disease ignores social or economic barriers, calling for idea exchange and innovative solutions without frontiers. Such forums, he added, are invaluable for advancing cancer care through cooperation and tech-driven breakthroughs.
Fadnavis hailed the National Cancer Institute’s role in providing world-class treatment to domestic and international patients alike. In Maharashtra, the Maha Cancer Foundation is rolling out a hub-and-spoke framework to create an extensive, efficient cancer care ecosystem statewide.
Advocating for deeper integration of research, AI, biotechnology, and medical innovations, the CM asserted these are indispensable for better outcomes in identification and management. Ultimately, early detection powered by technology holds the promise of higher survival rates and a lighter burden on health systems.
This summit underscores a hopeful era in oncology, with Fadnavis championing a holistic approach that could redefine the battle against cancer.