The Cause

The aapa foundation is a registered public charity trust located in Chennai, India. As one of our key objectives to establish a healthy society, we are dedicated to address the difficulties to accessing cancer care in the community. After two years of research and conceptualization, we have devised plans to construct and manage a non-profit healthcare facility in Chennai, India. In the subsequent section, we will present the rationale for a non-profit cancer cure and research center, and urge social responsibility actions.

The current and the future Scenario

The latest national cancer statistics indicate that approximately 14 lakh cancer cases were diagnosed in India in 2022, marking a 5% rise in cancer cases from 2020.

Unfortunately, with a population of approximately 1.4 billion people, the Indian healthcare system is struggling to keep up, particularly in the domain of cancer diagnosis and treatment. According to the Indian Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, there is already a 40% shortage in the number of radiation treatment machines required for cancer treatment. This situation will only worsen as cancer incidence rates increase at a rate of about 20% per decade.

In addition, a significant portion of the population is unable to afford timely access to cancer diagnosis and treatment procedures due to poverty.

Our Response

The Solution

To bridge the wide gap in cancer care and provide accessible and affordable diagnosis and treatment, we have devised a well-researched and practical plan to establish a non-profit cancer cure and research center. Our plan includes not only offering free or affordable treatment, but also creating awareness and prevention programs for the disease.

We have undertaken extensive groundwork, including identifying a suitable location, designing a layout that meets regulatory standards, estimating the budget, and developing financial and operational plans. The specifics of our plans are presented in the following section.

1. The Facility

The facility's construction plan was developed based on the layout of the site in Taramani, Chennai, which has a total area of 4400 square feet. The plan includes the construction of a two-story building with a basement, where the radiation treatment device will be housed.

An Artist's depiction of the planned cancer care center

A cancer radiation therapy unit is a specialized building that must be designed to ensure the safe housing of advanced medical equipment, and to eliminate the risk of radiation leaks. To achieve this, the treatment machines are placed in a vault with walls and ceiling that can be up to 1.4 meters thick, and a maze of concrete walls to control access to the rooms.

The vault design requirements to house the 6 MV Halcyon Linear accelerator is illustrated in the provided layout.

Vault design for Halcyon

Have a look at the drafted floor plans of the entire radiation therapy center

2. The Medical Equipment

The non-profit cancer cure and research center will be furnished with cutting-edge medical technologies. The centerpiece of the center will be the Varian Halcyon linear accelerator, which employs high-energy photon beams in the x-ray spectrum to combat tumors. The Halcyon is a modern machine with a human-centered design that reduces treatment durations, including the time required to position patients, as compared to traditional linear accelerators, resulting in the ability to carry out more treatment sessions.

Halcyon - Linear Accelerator

The complete cancer care spectrum will be realised with the addition of a CT Scanner for image diagnosis, an Afterloader for Brachytherapy, and the necessary infrastructure for the administration of Chemotherapy.

CT Scanner

Afterloader

Note: The photo and video materials of the equipment belong to Varian Medical Systems and GE Healthcare.

3. Budget estimation and financial forecasts

We have calculated that the center could be operational with an initial capital outlay (construction, equipment, permits, working capital) of just over INR 30 crore (USD 3.7 million). The revenue for the center would be generated through medical consultation fees, diagnostic services, and treatment services.

All figures provided in the following charts are based on conservative estimates adjusted to err on the side of caution by a margin of up to 25-35%. For more information and clarification please contact us!

4. Call for action!

Our financial analysis projects that the non-profit cancer care center will generate substantial cash flow, maintain liquidity, and build sufficient cash reserves for future expansion.

We consider this campaign as a promising pilot project for the wider implementation of a chain of similar facilities throughout the region and the country.

Dear Reader, We have taken on this challenge for the betterment of society, and we invite you to join us in supporting this noble cause. Please come forward and show your support.