Tata Trusts and National Cancer Institute (NCI) partner to strengthen cancer care in Vidarbha.

Tata Trusts and National Cancer Institute (NCI) partner to strengthen cancer care in Vidarbha.

• To provide comprehensive cancer care at affordable rates in catchment region, reduce wait times, launch training and awareness programmes and improve cancer survival
• Tata Trusts to assist in upgradation of physical infrastructure at the National Cancer Institute

Nagpur, July 14, 2018: Tata Trusts and the city’s National Cancer Institute (NCI) signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) today to work towards a common vision of improving cancer care, starting with the Vidarbha region.The LOI was signed by Mr. Shailesh Joglekar, General Secretary, National Cancer Institute, and Mr. R Venkataramanan, Managing Trustee, Tata Trusts, in the presence of Mr. Devendra Fadnavis, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mr. Ashish Deshpande, Chief Financial Officer, Sir Ratan Tata Trust, Adv. Sunil Manohar, President of NCI, Dr Kailash Sharma – Director (Academics), Tata Memorial Centre, and Dr. Anand Pathak, Medical Director, NCI.

As a part of this collaboration, the Tata Trusts will assist in upgradation of the cancer care facility being built by the National Cancer Institute in Nagpur.The collaboration will also establish a satellite cancer care facility in an adjoining district focusing on diagnostics and daycare services. The Trusts and the NCI will work towards providing comprehensive cancer care to the patients at affordable rates, reducing patient wait times and eventually improving clinical outcomes in the Vidarbha region.

The collaboration will catalyse existing government schemes related to cancer prevention and early detection such as tobacco control and screening of breast, cervical and oral cancers. Screen positives will be offered affordable diagnosis and care at NCI. General medical practitioners in the region will be offered free sensitization and training on cancer diagnosis and referral.This partnership will eventually lead to an improved survival and enhanced patient experience in the Vidarbha region by ensuring that patients and caregivers are provided the support they need.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Shailesh Joglekar, General Secretary, National Cancer Institute, said, “Recognizing the emergence of Cancer as a major health hazard on an epidemic scale in our country, the Governing Board of Dr Aabaji Thatte Sevaaur Anusandhan Sanstha decided to establish state-of-the-art facilities for diagnosis, prevention and treatment of cancers; Nagpur being the medical hub of central India was selected to host such facilities.It is our effort to provide cancer patients with the best of cancer care, less travel time, low cost treatment, smooth logistics and so forth.

NCI will function as a platform for oncologists, philanthropists, researchers, academicians, medical fraternity, governments, social organisations and the like-minded people so as to support their collaborative efforts towards our fight against Cancer. We shall together strive to eliminate the dreaded disease while we walk this planet. NCI is happy to be partners with Tata Trusts for our fight against Cancer & for comprehensive care to cancer patients.”

Mr. R Venkataramanan, Managing Trustee, Tata Trusts, said, “The Letter of Intent with the National Cancer Institute is a testament to the commitment and shared vision of strengthening cancer care facilities to ensure equitable, affordable and high quality cancer care in Vidarbha.”

The Tata Trusts have been pioneers in developing cancer care infrastructure since 1942 with the establishment of Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, and the more recently established Tata Medical Center, Kolkata, in 2011. Partnering with various state governments, the Trusts have been working to set up a comprehensive cancer care network. Last month, the Tata Trusts partnered with the Government of Assam to operationalise the Assam Cancer Care Foundation by unveiling the foundation stones of 19 upcoming modern cancer care facilities. The Trusts are currently in conversation with various other State Governments, like Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Telangana, for establishing similar networks.

About National Cancer Institute:

Established under the visionary tutelage of Dr Aabaji Thatte Sewa Aur Anusandhan Sanstha (Trust), National Cancer Institute is a quaternary care oncology centre. Comprehensive Cancer Treatment, Patient Care and Research through Sustainable Charity are three key phases that sum up the mission of National Cancer Institute. The facility is spread over 25 acres and is proposed as a 470 bedded quaternary care oncology centre, having built-up area and measuring 9.5 Lacs sq. ft. approximately which will be scalable up to 700 beds in the future. Conceived as a comprehensive cancer care centre, National Cancer Institute demonstrate expertise in basic, clinical and epidemiological research apart from state of the art, world class cancer treatment. National Cancer Institute will conform to both NABH and JCI accreditation standards. To know more please visit our About Us page.

About Tata Trusts:

Since its inception in 1892, the Tata Trusts, India’s oldest philanthropic organization, have played a pioneering role in bringing about an enduring difference in the lives of the communities it serves. Guided by the principles and the vision of proactive philanthropy of its Founder, Jamsetji Tata, the Trusts’ purpose is to catalyse development in the areas of healthcare and nutrition, water and sanitation, education, energy, rural upliftment, urban poverty alleviation, and arts, craft and culture. Tata Trusts’ programmes, achieved through direct implementation, partnerships and grant making, are marked by innovations, relevant to the country.

For more information, please visit http://tatatrusts.org/