Tag: Cancer Care

Health

Goa Advances as Hub for Integrative Oncology: AIIA Hosts Second Stakeholder Deliberation Meeting

Tanisha Cardozo

Dhargal, Goa – August 2025: In a defining moment for the future of holistic cancer care in India, the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Goa, successfully hosted the Second Stakeholder Deliberation Meeting on Integrative Oncology at its Dhargal campus. The meeting, in collaboration with the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre, is set to position Goa as a national model for integrative oncology.

The meeting was opened by Dr. Sujata Kadam, Dean of AIIA Goa, and Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi, Director of ACTREC – Tata Memorial Centre. The event brought together experts from modern oncology, Ayurveda, digital health, research, and policy-making, reflecting a true multi-disciplinary approach to healthcare.

  • Dr. Vikram Gota presented ACTREC’s initiatives in collaborative research and digital integration for oncology.
  • Dr. Sujata Kadam outlined AIIA’s infrastructure and implementation plan for an integrative cancer care framework.
  • Dr. Anura Bale discussed medicinal plant cultivation strategies for therapeutic support.
  • Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Senior Oncologist, proposed a joint tumor board merging modern and AYUSH oncologists.
  • Dr. Devdutt M. Sail introduced the vision of a National Integrative Oncology Grid to unify protocols and standardize practices.

The day also included the formation of committees, protocol discussions, and an institutional audit of AIIA Dhargal by ACTREC, DHS, and Goa Medical College.

In the evening, a high-level session at the Secretariat, Porvorim, was led by:

  • Dr. Mahesh Verlekar, Nodal Officer, NAM
  • Dr. Sujata Kadam, AIIA Goa
  • Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi, ACTREC
  • Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Senior Oncologist

Arun Kumar Mishra, Secretary of Health, assured the Government of Goa’s full support for the initiative, stating that integrative oncology can redefine patient care and position Goa as a leader in evidence-based, patient-centric cancer treatment.

Dr. Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa, commended the efforts and announced plans for an “Integrative Oncology Mission”, calling it a critical step toward holistic, accessible cancer treatment. He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to this mission, outlining policy direction, institutional support, and resource mobilisation.

The meeting saw active participation from policymakers, administrators, academic leaders, and clinicians, including:

  • Dr. Sudeep Gupta, Director, Tata Memorial Centre (virtual)
  • Dr. Yoguesh Bandale, Chairman, Rasayu Group (virtual)
  • Trupti Manerkar, Joint Secretary (Health)
  • Dr. Pooja Madkaikar, Director, Admin DHS
  • Dr. Nilesh Korde, Principal, Gomantak Ayurved College
  • Dr. Sneha Bhagwat, President, Goa Ayurveda Council
  • Dr. Manohar Gundeti, CARI, Mumbai
  • Dr. Sandip Sardesai, Goa Medical College
  • Dr. Vinayak Tembhurnikar, NIMA
  • Dr. Avinash Kadam, CSO, Rasayu Group

Their contributions enriched the discussions with diverse insights on education, clinical practices, research protocols, and policy alignment.

📍 Host: All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Dhargal
🤝 In Partnership With: ACTREC – Tata Memorial Centre
🗓️ Event: Second Stakeholder Deliberation on Integrative Oncology
🗣️ Chief Guest: Dr. Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister, Goa

Health

Manipal Hospital Goa Launches SIRT – A Game Changer in Liver Tumor Treatment

allycaralgoa

Goa, April 17, 2025: Manipal Hospital Goa today marked a significant milestone in advanced cancer care with the launch of Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT), also known as Transarterial Radioembolization (TARE), for the treatment of liver tumors. The event titled “SIRT – A Game Changer in Liver Tumor” was organized by Dr. Charudutt J Sambhaji, Chief of Radiology & Consultant – Interventional Radiology, and Dr. Pankaj Mhatre, Consultant – Nuclear Medicine, Manipal Hospital Goa featured leading global and national experts in oncology and interventional radiology. It signals a new frontier in the hospital’s commitment to precision and personalized cancer care.

The highlight of the event was a keynote session on “New Frontiers in Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT)” by Prof. Dr. Pierce K. H. Chow, Professor and Program Director at Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, and Senior Consultant Surgeon at the National Cancer Centre, Singapore. The session was followed by an insightful discussion on “Optimizing SIRT Dosimetry and Outcome,” led by Dr. Sanjay S. Baijal, Chairman, Interventional and Diagnostic Radiology at Medanta the Medicity, Gurugram.

On this occasion, Dr Charudatt has stated, “The launch of SIRT at Manipal Hospital Goa represents a quantum leap in cancer care in the region. It brings the latest international advancements in interventional oncology to our doorstep, offering new hope to patients battling complex liver cancers.”

As cancer cases are on the rise, SIRT is emerging as a key treatment for liver cancers. SIRT is a targeted treatment for liver cancers like hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and metastatic liver tumors. It involves delivering radioactive microspheres directly into the blood vessels that supply the tumor, allowing for precise radiation with minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue. It is a detailed pre-procedure preparation, including lab tests, image studies, and a preliminary angiogram with a Tc-99m MAA scan to assess particle shunting. Patients are then admitted for the main procedure, which involves injecting tiny radioactive beads into the liver through its blood vessels. A short hospital stay of 1–2 days is usually needed.

Dr. Salkar has stated, “SIRT is not just a procedure; it’s a collaborative approach involving interventional radiologists, nuclear medicine specialists, surgical oncologists, hepatologists, and medical oncologists. Our goal is to ensure a seamless experience and improved outcomes for patients through coordinated care and cutting-edge therapy.”

The event witnessed the participation of a distinguished panel of experts from across specialties and hospitals, reflecting the collaborative nature of advanced liver cancer care. From Manipal Hospital, Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Senior Consultant – Surgical Oncology, Dr. Jacob George, Consultant – Medical Oncologist, Dr. Rohan Badave, Consultant – Gastroenterology & Hepatologist, Dr. Sredharan M, Consultant – Surgical Oncologist, Dr. Vaibhav Shakya, Consultant – Radiation Oncology, and Dr. Sujoy Fernandes, Consultant – Radiation Oncology, attened the event. Besides the doctors from Manipal Hospital, Dr. Harish Peshwe, Consultant – Gastroenterologist, Dr. Sanjay Altekar, Consultant – Gastroenterologist, Dr. Jean Louis Menezes, Consultant- Surgical Oncologist, Dr. Anupama Borkar, Consultant – Medical Oncologist, also attended the event.

The event served as an important platform for knowledge sharing and clinical collaboration. It has also executed SIRT’s role as a precision therapy that is helping to reshape the treatment paradigm for liver cancer.

#AllycaralFeature 👒, Social

Axis Bank reinforces its commitment towards supporting Cancer Research and Care initiatives in India

allycaralgoa

On World Cancer Day, Axis Bank, one of India’s largest private sector banks, reiterated its dedication to supporting cancer research, patient care initiatives, and awareness programs in India. The bank has partnered with three esteemed institutions: National Cancer Grid (NCG), The Indian Cancer Society (ICS), and St. Jude India Childcare Centres.

The Urgent Need for Cancer Research and Care
According to the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN), cancer cases in India are projected to rise significantly, reaching 2.08 million by 2040. This marks a sharp increase of 57.5% from 2020, highlighting the urgent need to scale up India’s efforts in cancer research and innovation, available medical infrastructure, and mitigating the heavy patient burden in accessing treatment.

Axis Bank’s Commitment to Cancer Care
Axis Bank has been committed to supporting cancer research and care initiatives in India. The bank’s partnerships with NCG, ICS, and St. Jude India Childcare Centres are focused on three key themes:

  1. Advancing Cancer Research: Axis Bank is supporting NCG’s strategic initiatives, including the establishment of a national tele-consultation platform for follow-up care, a National Tumour Biobank, digitalization of oncology-specific electronic medical records (EMRs), and setting up of a Virtual Skills Lab for training healthcare professionals.
  2. Strengthening Preventive Care: The bank is collaborating with ICS to support screening and awareness camps for oral, cervical, and breast cancer, targeting over 8 lakh beneficiaries, including citizens and community health workers.
  3. Providing Patient Support: Axis Bank is supporting St. Jude India Childcare Centres to set up a new childcare facility in Hyderabad, providing clean and safe accommodation for families whose children are undergoing cancer treatment.

Quote from Axis Bank Executive
“At Axis Bank, we are dedicated to supporting India’s collective fight against cancer,” said Vijay Mulbagal, Group Executive for Strategic Programs & Sustainability, Axis Bank. “Our partnership with key institutions is aligned to our vision towards building longer-term capabilities in India’s healthcare sector overall. Together with our partners, we shall continue to work towards building a future where advanced cancer care is within reach for all those in need.”

Axis Bank is one of the largest private sector banks in India. The bank offers a wide range of financial services to customers, including large and mid-corporates, SME, agriculture, and retail businesses. With a network of over 5,700 domestic branches and 14,476 ATMs across the country, Axis Bank is committed to empowering communities and fostering societal resilience.