HEALTH LIBRARY

This year’s International Women’s Day theme is ‘Embracing equity which stands for embracing diversity, inclusion and being fair. It stands for success for all. Equality is the goal, and equity is the means to get there.

While we continue to pursue one dream after another, let us take a moment to reflect on the things we have done at Balco Medical Centre (BMC) that have made a difference in the lives of many.

I am a cancer specialist and medical director of Balco Medical Centre which is an integral part of the Vedanta group. We see patients from a diverse socio economic and cultural backgrounds and we try and make sure that cancer care is individualized for each patient so that the end result is the same for all, which is increasing the cure rate and improving every patient’s quality of life. This is best for an individual patient and best for our country, as we improve our benchmarks and outcomes for a productive society. I am really proud to be part of this institution, which gives me an opportunity to provide equitable access to care to all those we have the privilege of treating.

Despite the challenges involved mainly relating to out of pocket expenses and financial toxicity, we are providing the best evidence based treatment to all patients. The Anil Agarwal Foundation (AAF) has played a significant role in addressing gaps in healthcare provision and promoting equitable access to healthcare for all.

We entered into a memorandum of understanding with Tata Medical Centre (TMC), Mumbai for exchange of knowledge, and enhancement of skills, capabilities and core practices. With this MoU, both hospitals are collaborating for mutual learning, staff training, educational sessions, and institutional fellowships, cross-referrals of patients and joint research, which will shape the future of cancer care in India. Being associated with TMC- Mumbai also helps us set up local and regional benchmarks for cancer care along with peer-review of our institution.  Together we strengthen our resolve against cancer. After practicing for more than two decades in UK, I am all for the promotion of Heal in India – a medical tourism initiative of our country. This seeks to reduce the burden on patients and families who may be facing financial, logistical, and emotional challenges associated with traveling abroad for medical treatment. This will support the growth and development of the Indian healthcare system by promoting investment, innovation, and collaboration among healthcare providers, policymakers, and other stakeholders. At BMC, we are also improving healthcare access and outcomes for all Indians by promoting high-quality medical treatment within the country and reducing the need for patients to seek treatment abroad or outside of the home states – bringing cancer care closer to home!

We are actively engaged with NandGhar projects under the AAF that serve both rural and urban populations throughout Chhattisgarh. Through these initiatives, we are committed to providing health check-ups, cancer screening, and raising cancer awareness, while also helping to tackle non-communicable diseases like sickle cell anaemia, diabetes, hypertension, and malnutrition through our involvement in NandGhar projects under the AAF that serve both rural and urban populations throughout Chhattisgarh. Additionally, our cancer awareness sessions with Mitayan and anganwadi workers in the state focus on educating them about tobacco cessation, menstrual hygiene, nutrition, and vaccination for cervical cancer.

We are working on a tobacco-free village initiative, which is a public health program that was developed by researchers at the Harvard Medical School in collaboration with local communities in India. Our aim is to reduce tobacco use and promote healthy lifestyles in rural areas of the country by creating smoke-free and tobacco-free environments. Tobacco is the main cause of the commonest cancer of head & neck we see in India especially Chhattisgarh.

We have an excellent bone marrow transplant program and are actively contributing to the International Bone Marrow Transplant Registry. The database helps us to improve the safety and effectiveness of transplantation procedures and to advance our understanding of this important area of medicine. BMC is part of the Hemovigilance Program of India (hvPI) to ensure the safety and quality of blood transfusions and to contribute to ongoing efforts to improve the healthcare system in the country. By being part of HvPI, healthcare professionals can help to identify and address gaps in blood transfusion practices, improve patient outcomes, and promote better health for all. To help capacity building for the nation, we are in the process of expanding the BMT unit and are also actively educating local professional in good practices of transfusion medicine , flowcytometry etc.

We work in close collaboration with TMC- Navya- the second opinion portal which gives our patients access to the best advice across the country for site specific cancers. This provides personalized cancer care services through its clinical decision support system and helps us deliver the best for our patients. On this path of driving healthcare excellence for our country, we will be starting the education program for cancer specialists in our hospital which will provide an opportunity to enhance the quality of medical education and training, as well as the overall standard of healthcare provided in the country.

BMC is fast emerging as a national leader in India’s cancer program as we commission our second latest state of the art radiotherapy machine this year by May 2023. This will allow for precise targeting of the cancers while minimizing exposure to healthy tissue. A combination of treatments are included in the plan, which meets high standards of patient care accredited by NABL and NABH. The precision oncology program with molecular tumour boards also gives our patients access to the latest technology every step of the way. Participating in the national cancer grid virtual tumour boards with TMC, Mumbai every week is another step in the direction of bringing the best expertise to our patients locally.

We embrace equity in all we do every single day to make India a strong nation!

Dr. Bhawna Sirohi