American Oncology Institute Opens Cancer Hosp In City

Bhubaneshwar: American Oncology Institute (AOI), a Hyderabad-based chain of cancer hospitals founded by a team of leading oncologists at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre in USA, on Saturday commenced operations here in collaboration with Sparsh Hospitals & Critical Care. The dedicated cancer treatment and diagnostic centre will provide advanced medical oncology and surgical oncology services for all types of cancers for all age groups.

The facility comes up at a time when cancer incidences in Odisha are on the rise due to use of tobacco and tobacco products, ageing population, unhealthy life styles and lack of awareness about early detection. Services offered at the center will include medical oncology and surgical oncology specialties. AOI and Sparsh Hospitals is also in the process of setting-up a brand-new state-of-the-art-facility in Bhubaneswar with 300+ beds offering comprehensive cancer care including radiation oncology, informed a press release.

AOI was started with an aim to close the gap between standards of cancer care in India and the US, it said. AOI provides integrated cancer care powered by clinical excellence, world class technology as well as international pathways and protocols, world class cancer care across India and South Asia, it added.

Prevalence of Cancer

India is seeing increased incidence of cancer and has reported over 11 lakh new cases per year and this number is expected to be around 20 lakh by 2020. In Odisha, cancer is emerging as the second biggest killer after heart diseases. In 2015, on an average everyday 47 people died of cancer in Odisha.  About 50,000 to 60,000 new cancer patients are detected in the state every year. According to estimates, Odisha has around three lakh cases of surviving cancer patients and 70 to 80 per cent of these are detected at advanced stages of the disease, when treatment is prohibitively expensive and survival rates  abysmally low.

Co-founder and Executive Director, American Oncology Institute, Joseph A Nicholas said, “AOI, founded by a set of practicing oncologists in the United states, is our endeavor to bring world class cancer care at par with that of United states to the under-served regions of India and South Asia. Together with Sparsh, we are happy to have our presence in Bhubaneswar and we hope to serve the whole state of Odisha and nearby regions”.

Speaking on the occasion, zonal director, operations, American Oncology Institute, Dr Shibaji Chattopadhyaya said, “This strategic tie-up is a significant step towards bringing world class cancer care based on top American standards to the people of Odisha. AOI plans to create a network of 25 centres to provide precision cancer care across South Asia in the next 3-4 years.”

Chairman and Managing Director, Sparsh Hospitals & Critical Care, Dr Priyabrata Dhir, said, “We at Sparsh have been instrumental in pioneering cancer care in Odisha for a decade. ‘Sparsh-AOI’ oncology centre intends to revolutionize the pattern of cancer treatment protocol by following standard global practices. We will be providing latest technology including but not limited to drug mixing and infusion pump. Our patient will be monitored by international Tumour Board of AOI comprising eminent medical oncologist in India and USA.”

Consultant, Medical Oncology, American Oncology Institute, Dr Ghanshyam Biswas, said,“Sparsh AOI” Onco Centre is a stepping stone to transform the cancer treatment protocol prevailing in Odisha. This is a centre of excellence to treat cancer patient with the aid of latest available technology to ensure precision in patient care as per global standard practices. It will ensure cancer treatment at par with global standard under the remote supervision of international Tumour Board of AOI.”