Bhubaneswar, 5 December (H.S.): AIIMS Bhubaneswar has received an exceptional philanthropic contribution as renowned Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Prof. K. Laxmi Bai, on the occasion of her 100th birthday, donated ₹3.4 crore from her self-earned lifelong savings to support research and community oncology services at the institute.
Prof. Laxmi Bai, who obtained her medical degree in 1945 and retired from MKCG Medical College, Berhampur in 1986, has long been respected for her unmatched dedication to women’s healthcare. Her generous contribution reflects her deep trust in AIIMS Bhubaneswar’s commitment to ethical medical practice, high-quality healthcare services and its continuing efforts to serve the underserved sections of society.
Expressing profound gratitude, Executive Director Dr. Ashutosh Biswas said the donation is a powerful acknowledgment of AIIMS Bhubaneswar’s ongoing work in advanced research, patient care and medical education. The institute will create a dedicated corpus fund with the donated amount, with its interest to be used for research in gynaecological malignancies, delivery of community oncology services to the poor and marginalized, and strengthening preventive oncology initiatives. To ensure transparency and effective utilization of the fund, an Expert Supervisory Committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of the Executive Director.
As part of the centenary celebrations, a team led by Medical Superintendent and Officiating Executive Director Dr. Dillip Kumar Parida, along with senior faculty members, visited Prof. Laxmi Bai at her residence in Berhampur to convey gratitude on behalf of AIIMS Bhubaneswar and offer warm birthday wishes. The event, attended by academic stalwarts, medical professionals and dignitaries, reflected the towering legacy of Prof. Laxmi Bai and the immense respect she commands across generations.
In a significant recognition, the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, has conveyed her warm wishes to Prof. Laxmi Bai and applauded her extraordinary and inspiring gesture of donating her savings for the advancement of cancer care in the country. In her official message, the President expressed confidence that AIIMS Bhubaneswar will make the best possible use of the contribution and noted that such acts of compassion encourage other citizens to support public health and welfare initiatives.
AIIMS Bhubaneswar has expressed deep gratitude to the Hon’ble President for her encouraging words and reiterated its commitment to utilizing the contribution judiciously to advance cancer research, strengthen community oncology services and enhance patient support for the poor and underserved.
---------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda
