Adyar Cancer Institute chairperson Dr. V. Shanta no more
Tamil Nadu: Chennai, January 19 (HS):Dr. V. Shanta, the noted oncologist and chairperson of Cancer Institute at Adyar in Chennai breathed her last at a private hospital during early hours of Tuesday.
The 94 year old well-known oncologist was taken to Apollo Hospitals soon after she complained about mild discomfort yesterday evening.
Though the veteran doctor was provided with the treatment it didnt help and she breathed her last at about 3:55 am today.
Dr. Shanta became a part of Adyar Cancer Institute about 60 years ago. She joined the institute as a resident medical officer and dedicated her life to the field of oncology.
Dr. Shanta was born in 1927 and she completed MBBS in 1949 from Madras Medical College and did specialization in Gynaecology and Obstetrics.
Post completion of post graduation in medicine, she took over as resident medical officer in 1955. Dr. Shanta received training in Canada and UK in advanced cancer care.
Her contributions to the field of medicine got her numerous awards. Dr. Shanta won Padma Shri in 1986,
Magsaysay Award in 2005, Padma Bhushan in 2006 and Padma Vibhushan in 2016.
She also attained popularity for making cancer care and treatment affordable to all sections of the society.
Dr. Shanta held a firm belief that quality medical care must reach all sections of the society.
Among the eminent people to offer condolences was Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In a twitter message he said ‘Dr. V Shanta will be remembered for her outstanding efforts to ensure top quality cancer care. The Cancer Institute at Adyar, Chennai is at the forefront of serving the poor and downtrodden. I recall my visit to the Institute in 2018. Saddened by Dr. V Shanta’s demise. Om Shanti. ‘