Mumbai, July 7, 2025

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, launched a Specialised Training Program in Cancer Care for BIMSTEC countries at the Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), Mumbai today, 07^th July 2025. This program was earlier announced by the Prime Minister at the 6th BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Summit.

Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), Dr AK Mohanty, inaugurated the programme in the presence of Joint Secretary, BIMSTEC and SAARC, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), CSR Ram, along with Director, Tata Memorial Centre, Dr. Sudeep Gupta and Director, Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Visakhapatnam Dr. Umesh Mahantshetty.

JS (SAARC and BIMSTEC) MEA, Dr. CSR Ram informed that - this training initiative brings together participants from BIMSTEC Countries namely - Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Nepal. “The increasing incidence of cancer across the region, along with disparities in access to quality oncology services, has necessitated collective efforts in capacity building and skill enhancement. This initiative will not only help in improving the cancer care but also will help to establish network for further collaboration and research among BIMSTEC Countries,” he mentioned.

Director, Tata Memorial Centre, Dr Sudeep Gupta, welcomed the participants from BIMSTEC countries. He said that as a premier cancer care institution in Asia, Tata Memorial Centre, a Grant-In-Aid institution under the Department of Atomic Energy, is uniquely positioned to lead such initiatives owing to its extensive experience in clinical care, education, research, and public health. He informed that the training program is an intensive four-week onsite initiative focused on critical domains of cancer care as part of the health initiatives of the BIMSTEC organization. Three specialized modules in Radiation Oncology, Nuclear Medicine, and Radiology are being conducted concurrently, offering advanced hands-on exposure to cutting-edge diagnostic and therapeutic techniques.

Director, Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Visakhapatnam, Dr Umesh Mahantshetty, mentioned that the curriculum integrates interactive lectures, clinical observership, and faculty-led mentorship, ensuring a comprehensive and immersive experience that strengthens both technical skills and clinical understanding across the cancer care continuum. He added that the program will also help identify gaps for future collaboration and that subsequent training programs for participants will be scheduled at the nine operational units of Tata Memorial Centre spread across the country.

This program marks the beginning of a broader effort to conduct several such modules over time, aimed at strengthening oncology capacity across the BIMSTEC region.

 

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