Ravi Kannan Honored with Ramon Magsaysay ‘Hero For Holistic Healthcare’ Award

In a moment of profound pride for the people of Barak Valley, the revered Dr. Ravi Kannan has been announced as the distinguished recipient of the ‘Hero For Holistic Healthcare’ award in the 65th anniversary of the Ramon Magsaysay Award foundation. He stands as the sole awardee from India in this edition, a testament to his remarkable contributions to healthcare in the nation and beyond.

The Ramon Magsaysay Award, renowned as Asia’s premier honor, recognizes exceptional individuals and organizations that have ushered transformative changes in human development. Dr. Ravi Kannan’s commitment to holistic healthcare, especially in the challenging realm of cancer care, has earned him this prestigious accolade.

At the heart of the recognition is Dr. Kannan’s pioneering role in revolutionizing cancer care in the North Eastern Region (NER) of India. The NER, characterized by its remoteness and limited medical access, faced tremendous obstacles in battling cancer, a disease of high mortality and substantial emotional and financial burdens for patients and their families.

While the region’s first cancer hospital opened only in 1981, the Cachar Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (CCHRC) emerged in 1996 through the initiative of a non-profit society. However, it was Dr. Ravi Kannan’s transformative leadership that elevated CCHRC into a comprehensive cancer care facility. Taking charge in 2007 as the hospital director, Dr. Kannan brought in innovative strategies and a compassionate vision that helped expand the hospital’s capabilities significantly.

Under his guidance, CCHRC evolved into a multifaceted institution with twenty-eight departments covering critical areas such as oncology, pathology, radiology, and palliative care. The hospital’s staff grew from twenty-three to an impressive 451, a testament to Dr. Kannan’s capacity to inspire and lead.

Dr. Kannan’s deep insight led to the understanding that access to state-of-the-art facilities was just the first step. To overcome barriers like patient non-compliance due to factors like distance, cost, and despair, he introduced pro-poor initiatives including free treatment, lodging, and a homecare program. These steps raised patient compliance rates from 28% to 70%, enabling the hospital to provide free or subsidized cancer care to thousands of new patients each year.

His vision, articulated as ensuring that no individual develops preventable cancer and no patient suffers due to a lack of resources, has been realized through his unwavering dedication. Dr. Kannan, aged fifty-nine, has served CCHRC for nearly seventeen years, leading by example and inspiring young professionals to share his vision.

“In electing Ravi Kannan R. to receive the 2023 Ramon Magsaysay Award, the board of trustees recognizes his devotion to his profession’s highest ideals of public service, his combination of skill, commitment, and compassion in pushing the boundaries of people-centered, pro-poor health care and cancer care, and for having built, without expectation of reward, a beacon of hope for millions in the Indian state of Assam, thus setting a shining example for all,” stated the board in its official statement.

The other winners of the 65th edition are Eugenio Lemos – ‘Food Sovereignty Visionary’ from Timor – Leste, Mariam Coronel-Ferrer in ‘Women In Peace-Building Pioneer’ from the Philippines and Korvi Rakshand, ‘Education For All Champion’ from Bangladesh.

Dr. Ravi Kannan’s recognition with the Ramon Magsaysay Award is a testament to his embodiment of public service ideals, his unwavering commitment to pro-poor healthcare, and his creation of a beacon of hope for countless lives in Assam. His selfless contributions serve as a shining model for the world.