Mumbai: Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), India’s premier cancer care institute, has been recognised as an ‘anchor centre’ by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This recognition allows TMC to be involved in building cancer treatment capacities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) that lack adequate facilities.
It was formalised through an MoU signed on Thursday between TMC directors and Rafael Mariano Grossi, IAEA director general. As an anchor centre, TMC will provide expertise, training and mentorship to healthcare providers in IAEA member countries, helping establish and scale up radiotherapy centres in regions where cancer care infrastructure is limited.
This partnership is part of the Rays of Hope initiative, launched by IAEA in 2022, aimed at addressing global disparity in cancer treatment. The programme mobilises a coalition of partners to expand radiation medicine services in LMICs. Of IAEA’s 180 member countries, around 70 are currently engaged in the initiative.
“It started after a realisation that we were not able to have the impact that we should have had. Cancer statistics for India and other countries are not good. Cancer is not going down despite the advances we made. These should have yielded lower numbers,” said Grossi.
Dr Sudeep Gupta, director of TMC, said, “This is also an opportunity for TMC to have international data and resources, which will further enhance our capabilities.”