City Today News

Bengaluru, April 12: In a healthcare system often marked by stark contrasts, the newly inaugurated Arion Radiotherapy & Oncology Centre (ARC Cancer Hospital) has introduced what it describes as a “middle-path” model aimed at balancing affordability with global standards of cancer treatment.

Cancer care in India has long placed patients in a difficult position-choosing between expensive private hospitals offering advanced treatment and public institutions where lower costs are frequently accompanied by long waiting periods and overstretched infrastructure. This dichotomy has particularly burdened the middle class, both financially and emotionally.

Seeking to address this gap, ARC Cancer Hospital proposes to offer comprehensive oncology services at costs estimated to be 20–30% lower than those at leading corporate hospitals, while maintaining comparable standards of care and technology.

Dr. Srihari R. Shapur, Founder and Managing Director, said the hospital was established with the objective of making quality cancer treatment accessible to a wider section of society. He noted that efforts are also being made to extend services to beneficiaries under government schemes such as Ayushman Bharat and for those below the poverty line.

The hospital provides multi-disciplinary cancer care under one roof, including surgical oncology, chemotherapy, and advanced radiotherapy. Chairman Dr. Dinesh Mavinahalli said the centre has been equipped with modern infrastructure and supported by a team of experienced doctors available round the clock to ensure continuity of care.

Emphasising the need to reduce delays in diagnosis and treatment, the facility has been designed to ensure quicker access and shorter waiting times, along with personalised care for patients. Medical Director Dr. Samskruthi P. Murthy said the use of advanced equipment enables timely and well-planned treatment.

The hospital has also integrated international tumour boards involving oncology specialists from the United States, enabling collaborative case reviews and access to globally benchmarked treatment protocols, including emerging therapies such as immunotherapy.

In addition to catering to middle-income patients, ARC has initiated radiotherapy services under the Below Poverty Line (BPL) scheme. Support from T.B. Jayachandra, Special Representative of the Government of Karnataka, has been extended to facilitate treatment for underprivileged patients, reflecting a degree of public-private cooperation in improving access to cancer care.

The inauguration was attended by Minister Ramalinga Reddy, Uday Garudachar, Dr. Mohammed Maqsood Imran Rashadi of Jamia Masjid, and Dr. Maheshwar Rao, among others.

With India’s cancer burden continuing to rise, the need for timely, high-quality, and affordable treatment remains pressing. ARC’s approach raises a broader question for the healthcare sector-whether advanced cancer care can be made both scalable and affordable without compromising on quality.

While the model’s long-term impact will depend on patient outcomes and sustained affordability, the initiative signals an attempt to bridge the long-standing divide between cost and quality in cancer care.

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