CUTTACK: The Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Centre (AHRCC) and US-based Mayo Clinic could soon enter into a collaboration for academic exchanges and training programmes in a move that would change the face of cancer care in the State.
The only State-run cancer hospital of Odisha is working on firming up partnership with the global leader in cancer treatment, training and research at the earliest. The objective is to facilitate exchange programmes for training and skill upgradation of doctors and faculty of AHRCC at Mayo Clinic as well as enabling technology transfer between the two institutions.
Mayo Clinic has already evinced interest in setting up a cancer institute in Odisha with focus on research and training. Preliminary talks between Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and the institution representatives have been over with the former promising all help and support for the project.
“We are exploring tie-up with the prestigious institution which will not only give a huge boost to our manpower resources through training and skill upgradation but also bring new technologies and advances in cancer treatment for benefit of our patients. The issue was discussed in the governing body meeting with consensus on accelerating the process,” Director, AHRCC Prof Lalatendu Sarangi told this paper.
Prof Sarangi said AHRCC is set to undergo massive expansion in the near future as work on transforming it into a Centre of Excellence under Central scheme gains momentum. While the much awaited LINAC complex would be functional this month, it would pave way for infusion of more advanced technologies and infrastructure upgradation.
The hospital would soon set up a PET-CT facility along with MRI unit. The projects would be undertaken on a PPP mode and established in the soon to be constructed six-storey new Medical, Nuclear and Radiation Oncology Complex comprising the existing LINAC unit. The PET-CT unit will be sited on the first floor of the complex and process of finalising the project has commenced.
Presently, PET-CT, the advanced imaging technology for accurate detection of cancer and its spread in the body along with diagnosing a host of other problems from heart disease, gastrointestinal, endocrine to neurological disorders, is available at two private medical centres in the State. Such a facility at AHRCC would be a boon for people of the State as a major chunk of patients cannot afford the high costs at private centres.