Kolkata : Cancer institute ties up with Mayo Clinic

Kolkata: Saroj Gupta Cancer Centre & Research Institute (SGCCRI), also known as the Thakurpukur cancer hospital, is collaborating with Mayo Clinic, USA.

As part of the collaboration, Dr Kabir Mody from the US hospital has come down to the city to train doctors and interact with post-graduate students on medical oncology.

Other collaborative initiatives on research and patients care services are also likely to take up.

“In addition to the technical aspects of treatment, it’s important to learn how to speak and behave with patients and their relatives,” said the professor of medical oncology, Mayo Clinic, who held sessions on soft skills for the city doctors.

The Thakurpukur cancer hospital, the oldest private cancer hospital in the city, was started by Dr Saroj Gupta in 1976 with only 25 beds for palliative and basic patient care. Today, the hospital has 311 beds, with state-of-the-art gadgets for treatment and a paediatric unit.

“In addition to the existing four machines, we are going to procure two more LINAC machines for radiotherapy. We will also improve our research and academic activities. A genetic lab is on the cards,” said Dr Arnab Gupta, director SGCCRI.

Mody, who also spoke on the challenges faced by doctors to treat cancer patients, stressed the factors that can help in smarter treatment.