Chennai: City-based craniofacial and head and neck cancer surgeon Dr S M Balaji performed the first cancer surgery at the new National Cancer Centre in Mauritius on Feb 4.
Prime minister of the Republic of Mauritius Dr Navin Ramgoolam, himself a London-educated physician, congratulated Dr Balaji for the successful tongue cancer surgery.
During the meeting, Dr Balaji updated the prime minister on the development of a National Cancer and Craniofacial Developmental & Birth Defect Deformities Registry being spearheaded by him. This registry will be instrumental in ensuring comprehensive care delivery, follow-up, management, the development of preventive programmes and governmental policies. Over 13 years ago, Dr Balaji was appointed as an honorary craniofacial surgeon at Victoria Hospital by Dr Ramgoolam.