By: Lt Col JS Sodhi (Retd), Editor, GSDN

The Khadki Cantonment Board (KCB) was dwelling over certain projects that were quintessential for citizen comfort. Over a period of having ascertained the challenges with due interactions with the citizens residing in their area of jurisdiction, KCB officials identified the key Medical Project ‘Advanced Centre for Interventional Cardiology’ (ACIC) which will go a long way in providing succour to citizen comfort.
The efforts bore fruit and Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Cantonment General Hospital, commonly called as KCB Hospital, today stands equipped with a fully functional Intensive Care Unit, a modern Dialysis Centre, and comprehensive diagnostic and outpatient services, thereby reflecting KCB’s dedication to delivering dependable and accessible medical care to the community.
Buoyed by the positive response and the impact it had on the citizens, it was decided to enhance the facilities. In this regard, KCB commissioned a major healthcare advancement, a state-of-the-art Advanced Centre for Interventional Cardiology (ACIC) on December 02, 2025. The ACIC has been established through an innovative Public–Private Partnership (PPP) model, ensuring world-class cardiac infrastructure.

Through this model, the private partner has equipped the centre with cutting-edge technology, advanced imaging systems, and highly skilled specialists, enabling services such as coronary angiography, angioplasty, pacemaker implantation, peripheral interventions, and round-the-clock cardiac emergency management, thereby providing assistance to numerous patients who don’t have to travel long distances for these advanced treatments.
Strengthening its impact further, ACIC is seamlessly integrated with Maharashtra’s flagship health assurance programmes—the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MPJAY) and the Shahri Gareeb Yojana. Through these schemes, beneficiaries receive cashless access to life-saving cardiac procedures. With procedures aligned to CGHS-capped package rates, the initiative ensures affordability, transparency, and equitable access for all sections of society.
The ACIC is not merely an infrastructure upgrade, it is a transformative public service initiative that embodies innovation, compassion, and efficient governance. For this outstanding achievement and its far-reaching impact on community healthcare, the Honourable Raksha Mantri Award conferred special award to the Khadki Cantonment Board for establishing the Advanced Centre for Interventional Cardiology.

The award was received by Brigadier Paramjit Singh Jyoti, SM, VSM (President KCB) and Mrs Meenakshi P. Lohia (CEO, KCB) on December 16, 2025, which is also celebrated as the Defence Estates Day. The award is the hallmark of commitment, perseverance, dedication and devotion to duty of every team member of KCB showing remarkable professionalism and strong sense of responsibility.

Also, the addition of a state-of-the-art Modular Operation Theatre this year at the Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Cantonment General Hospital marks a significant advancement in its surgical capabilities. Designed in line with modern clinical standards, the facility is equipped with advanced air-handling systems, sterile zoning, and precision-controlled environments to ensure the highest levels of infection control and patient safety.
This upgraded infrastructure enables the hospital to undertake complex and high-end surgical procedures with greater efficiency and improved outcomes. The introduction of the Modular OT further strengthens the hospital’s commitment to providing safe, reliable, and technologically advanced surgical care to the community.

About the Author
Lt Col JS Sodhi (Retd) is the Founder-Editor, Global Strategic & Defence News and has authored the book “China’s War Clouds: The Great Chinese Checkmate”. He tweets at @JassiSodhi24.
