Manipal Hospitals Kolkata expanded its oncology capabilities on World Cancer Day by establishing the Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Care Centre, which features a state-of-the-art Clinical Haematology, Haemato-Oncology & Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Unit. Reinforcing its commitment to prevention and early diagnosis, the hospital also launched KAWACH – A Community Health Screening Programme, an initiative of the Manipal Foundation in collaboration with the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC).

The event was held at Manipal Hospital, EM Bypass.

This occasion was graced by Shri Firhad Hakim, Hon’ble Mayor, Kolkata Municipal Corporation; Shri Narayan Swaroop Nigam, IAS, Principal Secretary (Health); Smt. Ananya Banerjee, Councillor of Kolkata Municipal Corporation (Ward 109); Shri Harinarayan Sharma, CEO, Manipal Foundation; Dr. Surendra Kumar Dabas, Chairman, Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Centre and Onco Robotic Surgeries, North West Cluster; Dr. Murali Srinivasan, Chief of Medical Services, Manipal Health Enterprise Pvt. Ltd.; Dr. Ayanabh Debgupta, Regional Director – East Region; Dr. Sourav Datta, Director – Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Care (Mukundapur, Salt Lake & Siliguri Clusters); and Mr. Komal Dashora, Cluster Director – Mukundapur Cluster.

The establishment of the Comprehensive Cancer Care Centre fills a critical gap in Eastern India’s oncology landscape, where rising cancer incidence is frequently exacerbated by late-stage diagnosis and limited access to integrated cancer services. According to data from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and regional cancer registries, Eastern India, which includes West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, and the North-East, accounts for a significant portion of India’s cancer burden, with high rates of head and neck, gastrointestinal, breast, and haematological cancers. Nearly 60% of cancer cases in the region are diagnosed at advanced stages, leading to poorer outcomes and increased treatment complexity.

Through a coordinated multidisciplinary model, the Centre is intended to provide complete cancer care under one roof, including prevention, screening, early diagnosis, medical and surgical oncology, radiation oncology, haematology, bone marrow transplantation, supportive care, and survivorship services.

The KAWACH Community Health Screening Programme emphasizes the significance of awareness, early detection, and preventive screening in lowering cancer-related morbidity and death, especially among underprivileged communities, in addition to improved clinical care.

Through these efforts, Manipal Hospitals Kolkata confirms its dedication to improving oncology services and enhancing community involvement in order to lower the cancer burden via early detection, prevention, and all-encompassing, patient-centered treatment.

Priyanka Dutta