Oncology

International Oncology Sets Its 2nd Cancer Centre

The company plans to set up a comprehensive state-of- the- art research center in Jaipur

Pradeep K Jaisingh

International Oncology Services Private Limited (IOSPL) recently made an official announcement of the launch of the oncology centre in Dr LH Hiranandani Hospital, Mumbai. This is IOSPL's second collaboration in India after it had announced a similar strategic tie-up with Fortis Healthcare to start oncology centers, earlier this year.

The collaboration with Hiranandani Hospital will have radiation oncology, medical oncology, surgical oncology and a bone marrow transplant unit. The centre, opening in June 2010, will also have a full-fledged research centre for cancer tumours with facilities for phase III and IV trails.

Said Dr Sujit Chatterjee, CEO, Dr LH Hiranandani Hospital, "The process of outsourcing is going to contain healthcare costs. It will also raise the bar in delivery of healthcare as those who come in as partners are focused- having established themselves as excellent in their field. This country is going to see more of strategic and functional outsourcing tie-ups."

After starting a medical and surgical oncology operations at Fortis Hospital Mohali and Jaipur, it plans to set up a comprehensive state-of-the-art cancer care and research centre in Jaipur. Said Pradeep K Jaisingh, MD & CEO, IOSPL, “The Government of Rajasthan has allocated land for this comprehensive research centre. The centre should be operational in the next three years. The core focus of this research center will be all types of cancers in all the four phases of research."

IOSPL also has plans to engage in research in radiation therapy and radiation oncology in India. "For radiation oncology, we would like to collaborate with the manufacturers of the radiation therapy equipment,"he said. As a part of this programme, the IOSPL is already using the latest technology addition like Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) in its centres. The company wants to expand its reach further by tapping the tier II cities like Lucknow, Indore and Amritsar. "The cost of the treatment will be less in tier two cities. We plan to bring in the technology like Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) and as we scale up we will also introduce IGRT. In tier I cities, we have already brought in IGRT. IOSPL will begin work in few months time and we hope to see some of these centers operational in about 12-15 months period." The company plans to invest $ 8 million and $ 4,000 million respectively for its expansion in tier I and tier II cities.

The company is following the hub and spoke model to expand its tentacles in the Indian market. "After taking the high- end treatment in the hub, the patient will need the same kind of treatment and expertise-which they will get in the spokes. Thus will initiative a seamless delivery of treatment," said Dr Ashvini Sengar, Director, IOSPL.

Sonal Shukla