Where Hope Finds a Home: A Partnership That’s Saving Lives in Assam

Bridging Hope in Assam

At Matrix Business Services, we believe that corporate social responsibility isn’t just about giving — it’s about building bridges that help transform lives. One such bridge we are deeply proud of is our ongoing partnership with the Cachar Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (CCHRC) in Silchar, Assam.

What began as a simple act of support during the COVID-19 pandemic has evolved into a meaningful relationship with an institution that has been a lifeline for thousands across Assam and the Northeast. This is a story that deeply moved us — one of resilience, compassion, and quiet, relentless progress.

Discovering a Beacon of Hope in Silchar

CCHRC is not just a hospital. It is a sanctuary for those battling cancer in some of India’s most underserved regions. Founded in 1996 as a 20-bed facility with just 23 staff, the hospital today serves over 30,000 patients annually. But its true essence lies in its mission — that no one should be denied treatment due to financial hardship, and no family should fall into poverty because of cancer.

We came to know of CCHRC through a personal connection — a call from Mrs. Seetha Raghavachary, a well-wisher and the wife of Dr. Ravi Kannan, the hospital’s Director. When the pandemic struck, the hospital urgently needed a testing lab to serve its patients and the wider community. Mrs. Raghavachary reached out to her network, and one connection led to another — until it reached us at Matrix.

Once we learned about CCHRC’s story, we knew we had to be part of it.

A Mission Led by Purpose

Dr. Ravi Kannan is a name that commands not just respect, but deep admiration. A surgical oncologist who left his successful career at Chennai’s Adyar Cancer Institute in 2007, he moved to Silchar with his family to serve a population that had little or no access to cancer care.

The hospital staff shared with us the reality of the region: patients mostly come from rural and impoverished backgrounds. Many are daily wage earners, marginal farmers, and housewives, with over 59% earning less than ₹10,000 per month, and 44.7% living in kaccha houses. In such a setting, every barrier — travel, tests, medications, or even meals — can be the difference between life and death.

But Dr. Kannan and his team built a model rooted in compassion and dignity. They removed indirect costs, created community kitchens, ensured employment for caregivers, and provided home-based care. The hospital’s philosophy is simple: “If patients can’t come to us, we go to them.”

We were inspired.

How Matrix Stepped In

Our contributions over the past five years have focused on bridging equipment and infrastructure gaps that could directly impact patient care. Here’s how we've been able to support:

  • 2020-21: Helped set up the infectious disease testing lab, including funding for an AC unit, UPS, and lab renovations.
  • 2021-22: Funded 6 infusion pumps for safer chemotherapy administration.
  • 2022-23: Donated 10 bedside monitors and a central monitoring system, improving critical care monitoring.
  • 2023-24: Contributed towards the gallium generator and rapid kits for the Nuclear Medicine department.
  • 2024-25: Provided 10 chemotherapy chairs, a plating system, and 2 ICU ventilators — all urgently needed for patient comfort and emergency care.

These aren’t just pieces of equipment. They are vital tools that extend life, ease suffering, and ensure dignity in treatment. Each time the hospital team shares how these contributions are being used — in palliative wards, ICUs, or during life-saving procedures — we feel grateful to be part of their journey.

The Road Ahead — and a Call to Support

Despite its growth, the hospital still faces pressing needs. In our conversations with their team, they shared the challenges: expanding to new regions, building staff accommodation, improving HR infrastructure, and updating aging equipment.

Their plans include setting up satellite centers in Baraigram, Haflong, and even replicating the CCHRC model in Tripura. The team is also working to raise awareness, conduct early detection camps, and reach patients who often arrive too late.

For CCHRC, every rupee and every resource counts. And for us at Matrix, every small act of support has made a measurable difference.

Why This Matters to Us

At Matrix, our vision of corporate responsibility goes beyond compliance — it’s about creating meaningful, lasting change. Supporting CCHRC is not just an initiative; it is a reflection of our belief that real impact happens when businesses extend their purpose beyond boardrooms.

In a region where access to quality cancer care was once unthinkable, CCHRC stands as a symbol of perseverance and progress. Being able to contribute to that mission — even in a small way — is deeply humbling.

We believe that when organizations like ours stand beside institutions like CCHRC, we help unlock more than just funding. We help unlock possibility, progress, and above all, hope.

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