: Mumbai, 20th March, 2025

Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), a grant-in-aid institution under the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India and The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today, recognizing TMC as an "Anchor Centre" for IAEA’s Rays of Hope initiative. The signing ceremony took place at the Rustum Choksi Auditorium, Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, in the presence of IAEA Director General Mr. Rafael Mariano Grossi, H.E. Mr. Shambu S. Kumaran, Ambassador of India to the Republic of Austria and Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna, Dr. A. K. Mohanty, Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy & Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission, Dr. Sudeep Gupta, Director, TMC and other senior officials.

In his remarks, IAEA Director General Mr. Rafael Mariano Grossi elaborated on the Rays of Hope initiative, launched in 2022, which focuses on improving access to cancer care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The initiative aims to establish Anchor Centres like TMC that will play a critical role in training healthcare professionals, organizing specialized training programs, participating in IAEA Coordinated Research Projects, supporting radiotherapy and medical imaging facilities, and providing mentorship to medical institutions in LMICs. With this MoU, TMC has been officially recognized as an Anchor Centre for the Asia-Pacific and African regions, reinforcing its role in advancing cancer treatment and research on a global scale.

 

 

Ambassador of India to the Republic of Austria and Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna, H.E. Mr. Kumaran reiterated India’s commitment to IAEA’s Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT), launched in 2004, which focuses on improving global cancer care. As part of this collaboration, India has donated its indigenous radiotherapy machine, the Bhabhatron, to several developing nations, including Mongolia, Sri Lanka, and Madagascar. Additionally, TMC experts have actively contributed to IAEA’s imPACT missions, assisting numerous countries in enhancing their cancer treatment capabilities. Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy, Dr. Ajit. Kumar. Mohanty emphasized and highlighted the DAE support, commitment and efforts towards facilitating the use of Nuclear power for peace through several initiatives with IAEA including advanced cancer care through TMC.

Director of TMC, Dr. Sudeep Gupta emphasized the institution’s extensive international collaborations and contributions to IAEA initiatives. These include expert missions, Quality Assurance programs like QUATRO, and training/fellowship programs benefiting several Member States across Africa, the Middle East, Bangladesh, Mauritius, and other nations such as the Philippines and Mongolia.

Director of Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, TMC, Visakhapatnam, Dr. Umesh Mahantshetty provided an overview of TMC’s longstanding contributions to cancer care in India, highlighting its network of affordable, comprehensive cancer treatment facilities in Punjab, Varanasi, Guwahati, and Visakhapatnam. He also emphasized TMC’s deep-rooted partnership with the IAEA since 1981, detailing its extensive role in research, training, and the development of advanced cancer treatment protocols.

 

Following the signing ceremony, Mr. Grossi toured TMC’s world-class facilities, including the Homi Bhabha Block, Disease Management Clinics, Clinical Research Secretariat (CRS), and Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC). This partnership strengthens India’s position as a key player in global healthcare collaboration, ensuring that innovative and affordable cancer treatments are accessible to those in need.

PIB Mumbai | EC/PM

 

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