#NationalNews: Guwahati, Assam, India, August 31 2023: Padma Shri Awardee and distinguished oncologist Dr. Ravi Kannan has been announced as the distinguished recipient of the ‘Hero for Holistic Healthcare’ award on the 65th anniversary of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation.
The Ramon Magsaysay Award, instituted to uphold the legacy of former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay, symbolises qualities such as governance integrity, selfless service to the people, and pragmatic idealism within a democratic society. The award’s origins trace back to April 1957, when it was established by the trustees of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund in New York City with the endorsement of the Philippine government.
The Ramon Magsaysay Award, often regarded as Asia’s highest honour, recognises his remarkable contributions to healthcare in India and beyond, people and organisations that have ushered in dramatic improvements in human progress. Dr. Ravi Kannan’s dedication to holistic healthcare, particularly in the difficult field of cancer care, has earned him this distinguished award.
While the region’s first cancer hospital opened in 1981, the Cachar Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (CCHRC) was founded in 1996 by a non-profit organisation. Dr. Ravi Kannan’s revolutionary leadership, on the other hand, catapulted CCHRC into a comprehensive cancer care hospital. Dr. Ravi Kannan moved to Silchar with his wife, Seeta, in 2007 to take charge of the CCHRC. He worked earlier as a surgeon at Chennai’s Adyar Cancer Institute and was awarded the Padma Shri for his contribution to the health sector. Dr. Kannan, who became hospital director in 2007, offered creative tactics and a caring vision that helped greatly improve the hospital’s capabilities.
