New Campus Housing to Support 784 Cancer Care Trainees

Medical students and researchers fighting cancer will soon have a place to call home at one of India's leading cancer centers.

The Harish & Bina Shah Foundation partnered with Tata Memorial Centre to break ground on a residential facility at the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC) in Kharghar. The 12-story building will house 784 people, including medical students, researchers, resident doctors, and healthcare professionals training in oncology.

The new residence addresses a real need. ACTREC treats around 10,000 new cancer patients each year, while the larger Tata Memorial network sees over 130,000 new cases annually. Training the next generation of cancer specialists requires space for them to live and study.

The facility goes beyond basic housing. It will feature 352 hostel rooms and 16 two-bedroom apartments, plus a multipurpose dining hall, gymnasium, and yoga rooms. A recreation ground designed as a healing garden will offer a peaceful retreat for those immersed in demanding cancer care work.

"A supportive academic and research environment is essential for nurturing the next generation of oncology professionals," said TMC Director Sudeep Gupta. The residence will strengthen infrastructure for trainees arriving from across India to study at ACTREC.

ACTREC Director Pankaj Chaturvedi emphasized the importance of creating a welcoming environment for students coming from different parts of the country. Deputy Director Navin Khattry noted the expanded capacity would support the institute's growing role as a hub for advanced cancer research and training.

The Ripple Effect

The foundation's approach recognizes an often-overlooked truth: taking care of healthcare workers means better care for patients. "Many spend years away from home in demanding conditions. This residence is our way of investing in them," said Harish Shah, Chairperson of the foundation.

Executive Director Robin Chhabra added that living and working environments directly influence performance. The foundation designed the infrastructure to match the caliber of professionals at ACTREC.

The project arrives as ACTREC expands its clinical and academic capacity, training more doctors and researchers to tackle India's growing cancer burden.

Better housing for future cancer specialists means more skilled professionals ready to serve patients across the country.

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