The 65th Ramon Magsaysay Award, the highest honor in Asia that recognizes individuals who are dedicated to selfless service, was awarded to Indian doctor Ravi Kannan R, the director of Cachar Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (CCHRC).
Synonymous with the Asian Nobel Prize, the award recognized Dr. Kannan’s commitment to providing accessible cancer care for the underserved population of Assam.
CCHRC, which began as a non-profit effort by local residents in 1996, received a revolutionary boost under Dr. Kannan’s leadership when he took over as hospital director in 2007. Dr. Kannan, a renowned Indian surgical oncologist, was the first properly trained oncologist to fill hold the position.
CCHRC has grown into a complete cancer hospital and research center under his guidance, providing a wide range of services in oncology, pathology, radiology, microbiology, epidemiology, tumor registry, palliative care, and more.
According to Dr. Kannan, the hospital’s aim is to prevent cancer wherever feasible, give fair access to treatment, ease patient suffering, and keep families from falling into poverty as a result of treatment costs.
The Ramon Magsaysay Award has a long tradition of rewarding people who work selflessly to improve society in Asia and beyond. It has awarded remarkable achievements in government service, public service, community leadership, journalism, literature, creative communication arts, peace, international understanding, and emergent leadership.
The prize is represented by a diploma and a medallion depicting Ramon Magsaysay, the beloved former Philippine President whose ideals inspired the the award’s creation in 1957.
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