Tata Medical Centre, Kolkata

The hospital is a philanthropic initiative from the House of Tata

Location: Newtown, Rajarhat, Kolkata.

When did construction start: The foundation stone of Tata Medical Centre (TMC) was laid on 21st February 2006 by Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya in presence of Chairman of Tata Son, Ratan Tata. Construction of the project began on 16th February, 2007.

Time of commissioning: First quarter 2010.

Promoters: Tata Sons Limited (Tata Medical Centre Trust).

Total number of beds: Provisions for 300 beds.

Number of beds to be commissioned in first phase: 150.

Budget (inclusive of cost of land, construction and equipment): Rs 330 crore.

Type of investment: Philanthropic.

Corporate or trust hospital: Trust hospital. Says Dr Brojen Gogoi, Coordinator, Tata Medical Centre Trust, "It will serve all sections of the society, with 50 per cent earmarked for free treatment for the underprivileged sections. The institution's objective is to excel in service, education and research and care."

Single specialty or multi-specialty: Single specialty offering oncology services. The reason for choosing oncology is the huge demand for cancer care in Eastern and North Eastern India.

Any subsidy taken from the Government and what is the arrangement with the Government against that: No.

About architecture: Designed by US-based Cannon Design.

"It will serve all sections of the society, with 50 per cent earmarked for free treatment for the underprivileged sections" - Dr Brojen Gogoi Co-ordinator Tata Medical Centre Trust

Reason for choosing to invest in Kolkata: The hospital would provide specialised cancer care to the Eastern and North Eastern parts of the country. It is estimated that there are approximately 2.5 - 3 million prevalent cases of cancer in India at any given time. At the Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, 25-30 per cent of registrations are from the Eastern, North-Eastern Regions of the country and from Nepal and Bangladesh. To provide these people access to world class cancer management and care, the Tata Medical Centre Trust was formed in 2005.

Vision and mission of the hospital: The vision is to create a world class institution excelling in service and care, education as well as research in oncology. The mission of the hospital is to promote prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and palliation for cancer patients.

USP of the project: State of-the-art non-profit cancer care facility. TMC has engaged Joint Commission International (JCI) as a consultant to review the infrastructure in terms of the proposed lay-out and facilities. The proposed infrastructure has since been cleared by JCI consultants as conducive for quality care and patient safety matching international standards.

Centrally air-conditioned: Yes.

Total area of the land: 13.36 acres.

Total square feet area of the hospital: 3,26,000 square feet.

About technology that is latest in the area: "Diagnosis and treatment will be characterised by a multi-disciplinary approach with disease management teams, wherein experts from different streams viz. surgery, radiation oncology, medical oncology, pathology, radiology, psychiatry and medical social work, would participate in decision-making for treatment protocols, using Evidence-Based Medicine strategies and documented clinical guidelines appropriate to our location," says Dr Gogoi. The above facilities will be complemented by state-of-the-art equipment from the best of manufacturers worldwide, and supported by advanced technologies like digital and molecular imaging, molecular pathology, and latest radiation treatment delivery IGRT systems. Patient samples, drugs and consumables will be transported across the hospital through a pneumatic chute system. TMC will conduct a telemedicine programme with the TMC and a network of institutions both within India and abroad with prior arrangement.

Use of IT: "Our endeavour is to make it a paperless hospital," says Dr Gogoi.

Number of clinicians and non-clinicians to be hired: 100 and 250 respectively.

Ways to market it: Linkages with international cancer hospitals/ website.

Other hospitals of the group: Tata Main Hospital (Jamshedpur), Group Hospital (Kerala), Tata Referral Hospital (Assam).

Future plans of the hospital of the group in healthcare: Not yet decided.

rita.dutta@expressindia.com