Ravi Kannan R | |
|---|---|
 Kannan R in November 2021 | |
| Born | India |
| Occupation | Oncologist |
| Known for | Free treatment to cancer patients |
| Medical career | |
| Field | Oncology |
| Awards | Padma Shri (2020) Mahaveer Award Ramon Magsaysay Award |
Ravi Kannan R is an Indiansurgical oncologist, based inAssam. He is the director of Cachar Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (CCHRC), Silchar,[1] a nonprofit hospital, that provides free cancer treatment. He is the former Head of Department of surgical oncology atAdyar Cancer Institute inChennai. He is a recipient ofPadma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honours, and theRamon Magsaysay Award, the highest award in Asia (called the "Nobel Prize of Asia").[2][3]
Kannan did his schooling from Kendriya Vidyalaya, Tambaram. And then he graduated with anMBBS degree from theKilpauk Medical College inChennai and holds anMS degree from theMaulana Azad Medical College,New Delhi and MCH Surgical Oncology from Cancer Institute,Chennai.[4]
After completing his medical training, Kannan joined theAdyar Cancer Institute where he was heading the surgical oncology department in the early 2000s.[5] In 2006, he visited the Cachar Cancer Hospital and Research Centre for the first time for a consultation on the request of a colleague and that's when he met the then director of CCHRC who invited him to head the centre.[4] Kannan left his practice in Chennai and moved toAssam with his family in 2007 to provide cancer care for the people ofBarak Valley and took on the position of Director of the Cachar Cancer Hospital and Research Centre inSilchar.[6] Since 2007, Kannan has continued to work in the region and has made numerous contributions to spreading cancer awareness, heading and collaborating on cancer research studies in the region including setting up a hospital and regional cancer registry, strengthening cancer care facilities, and providing basic and specialised healthcare for cancer patients.
In 2020, during the pandemic, the Cachar Cancer Hospital and Research Centre was converted into a covid hospital. Under his leadership, the hospital worked to provide care to both sets of patients, those fighting cancer and covid-19 infections.[7]
