SunstarTV Bureau: Renowned oncologist and chairperson of the Cancer Institute, Dr V Shanta, died at 93, on Tuesday.
Senior oncologist at the institute, said Dr Shanta was rushed to hospital after she complained of chest pain last night at about 9 p.m. where she had a massive block which could not be removed and finally closed her eyes at around 3.55 am.
Her body was moved to the old Cancer Institute premises, which she helped to build.
Dr Shanta won several awards, including the Magsaysay Award, Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan.
Condoling the death of the renowned oncologist, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “Dr. V Shanta will be remembered for her outstanding efforts to ensure top quality cancer care. The Cancer Institute at Adyar, Chennai is at the forefront of serving the poor and downtrodden. I recall my visit to the Institute in 2018. Saddened by Dr. V Shanta’s demise. Om Shanti.”
Dr. V Shanta will be remembered for her outstanding efforts to ensure top quality cancer care. The Cancer Institute at Adyar, Chennai is at the forefront of serving the poor and downtrodden. I recall my visit to the Institute in 2018. Saddened by Dr. V Shanta’s demise. Om Shanti. pic.twitter.com/lnZKTc5o3d
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 19, 2021
Expressing shock at Shanta’s death, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami also said with her dedicated service she expanded and moderninsed the hospital that was started with 12 beds.
He said Shanta was instrumental in creating public awareness on the importance of periodic testing for detection of cancer.
Palaniswami said the Tamil Nadu government honoured Shanta with Avvaiyar Award in 2013.
Terming Shanta’s death as an irreplacable loss for medical fraternity and Tamil Nadu, Palaniswami said she will be given police salute at time of her final rites.
