Kolkata's IPGMER-SSKM Hospital Prepares to Launch Advanced Cancer Care Hub
The Cancer Care Hub (CCH) at IPGMER & SSKM Hospital in Kolkata is poised to commence operations in its new building by the end of March or the beginning of April, with a primary focus on radiation oncology services. Hospital officials are optimistic about securing all necessary clearances to operate the Linear Accelerator (LINAC) machines by late March, marking a significant milestone in government-sector cancer care.
State-of-the-Art Infrastructure and Equipment
Two cutting-edge LINAC machines have already been installed and commissioned in the new G+10 building, where two floors are nearly complete. This deployment represents the first time the government is utilizing advanced LINAC technology for cancer treatment in the public sector. Manimoy Banerjee, director of IPGMER-SSKM Hospital, stated, "Radiation safety checks are currently underway to ensure the LINAC machines can be safely used for cancer patients. We are hopeful of obtaining the required permissions soon and initiating partial services from the new facility."
The CCH is an ambitious project spearheaded by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in collaboration with the Tata Memorial Centre in Mumbai. Construction of the G+10 building, located opposite the existing IPGMER campus on Harish Chatterjee Road, is progressing rapidly. Alok Ghosh Dastidar, a radiation oncologist and chairman of the steering committee overseeing the CCH's progress, explained, "We plan to start radiation oncology services by the end of March or early April. Additionally, we intend to relocate outpatient department (OPD) services from the main campus to the new hub."
Comprehensive Cancer Care Facilities
Upon full completion, the CCH will house a wide array of advanced facilities, including onco-pathology, next-generation sequencing, immunohistochemistry, and PET-CT and MRI fusion capabilities. Currently, PET-CT facilities in the government sector are only available at NRS Medical College. The hub will also feature a new brachytherapy machine, enhancing treatment options for patients.
Ghosh Dastidar added, "The CCH will boast more than 350 beds. In addition to day-care oncology, medical and surgical oncology, radiotherapy, and onco-pathology, there will be a dedicated unit for palliative care for cancer patients—a facility previously unavailable in the government sector." Presently, cancer care is provided through 60 beds on the main campus and 40 beds at the Kolkata Police Hospital, which primarily serves paediatric oncology.
Expanding Capacity and Collaborative Efforts
Niladri Patra, head of radiation oncology at IPGMER, noted that the department currently serves 5,000 to 6,000 cancer patients annually. Once the CCH becomes fully operational, this capacity is expected to increase threefold, significantly improving access to specialized care.
The initiative traces back to June 2021, when the Bengal Chief Minister announced the partnership with the Tata Memorial Centre in Mumbai. Within three months, a steering committee was formed, comprising members from the health department and Tata Memorial Centre, and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed. The project benefits from the expertise of honorary consultants who are alumni of Tata Memorial Hospital and are now based in Kolkata, working alongside IPGMER doctors. The IPGMER team is also collaborating closely with the Tata Memorial Hospital team to implement new techniques and advancements in cancer treatment.
