Question : Global Cancer Care Network

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether India has launched a global cancer care network to integrate hospitals and cancer care institutes in cooperation with partner countries through National Cancer Grid (NCG) of the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the aims and objectives of the said grid;

(c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government for establishment of such grid;

(d) the details of the countries which have shown interest in NCG-Vishwam and the way in which these countries are likely to be benefited from it and vice-versa; and

(e) the other steps taken by the Government for creating uniform standards of cancer care across the country to facilitate the patients suffering from the deadly disease?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)
(a) and (b): India has launched Global Cancer Grid- “Vishwam Cancer Care Connect” which envisages integration of the hospitals and relevant cancer institutes from the partner countries with National Cancer Grid. The main objectives are to establish uniform standards of patient care for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer, providing specialized training and education in oncology and facilitating collaborative basic, translational and clinical research in cancer. The objective is also to offer these services to friendly countries which include management of common cancers, second opinion on cancer care and capacity building through Massive Open Online courses.


(c): Given the interest shown by several neighboring countries in utilizing the expertise of National Cancer Grid (NCG) in areas of training of health care professional, online second opinion (Navya), registry development and access to low cost innovations like Bhabhatron; the Global Cancer Grid-Vishwam Cancer Care Connect has been assisting these countries in all these areas. Till date following activities have been done:
(i) Training provided to the clinicians/observers/Nurses from Myanmar, Bangladesh, Qatar, Sub-Saharan region, Ethiopia, Oman, Sri Lanka, Africa.
(ii) Bhabhatron-II machines were provided to Vietnam, Zambia, Nigeria, Mongolia, Tanzania, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar and Uganda.
(iii) Training provided to countries like Bhutan, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Nepal, Sri lanka and Timor-Leste in the establishment of registry, analysis of data and preparation of reports.
(iv) A significant proportion of patients from neighboring countries have benefitted through the Navya online opinion in last few years.

(d): Several Countries such as Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, United Arab Emirates, Jamaica, Vietnam, Kenya, Zambia, Nepal, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Kazakhstan, Russia and Ghana, have shown interest in this initiative. Global Cancer Grid will extend the benefits through the access to treatment guidelines, virtual tumour board to facilitate multidisciplinary care, online second opinion services, massive online learning course access for the physicians, paramedical and nursing staff.

(e): NCG has developed resource stratified guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of common cancers to ensure uniform care, to facilitate delivery of standard therapy to all the patients closer to their homes. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has also prepared consensus document for the management of several types of cancers, to aid uniform standard of cancer care across the country. Cancer Monograph and Standard treatment work flow for several conditions including cancers has also been developed by ICMR.
…………….