Published on: July 27, 2014

The National Cancer Grid is a network of major cancer centres in the country created with the mandate of:

i) Creating uniform standards of patient care across the length and breadth of country, bringing high quality cancer care to the doorsteps of patients.

ii) Augmenting human resource capabilities in cancer management in the country.

iii) Promoting collaborative research in cancer.

A 2 day summit of National Cancer Grid (NCG) is being held at Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital, Mumbai on 26, 27 July 2014. Dr Suk Dev Nayak from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar reports from the venue:

“There was a 40 min session on Palliative care just before lunch. I thought no one would be in a mood to listen to palliative care with an empty stomach and the aroma of hot lunch drifting in to the hall. Prof Maryann Muckaden and myself did three presentations in total. Prof. Maryann’s introduction was perfect. I then shared two power point presentations: the Pallium India – Human Rights Watch survey on incidence of CANCER PAIN in 4 Regional Cancer Centres, followed by the Palliative Care component and outlay under NPCDCS of Government of India. To my utter surprise, there was a lively discussion by many of the Directors. The discussion went on, and ate through the lunch time for 20 minutes. Prof Badwe had to intervene and curtail the discussion.

I hope Palliative Care slowly enters the agenda of Chief/Policy makers at RCCs and other cancer centres. Today there will be summing up and discussion on the steps forward.”

Thank you Professor Sukdev Nayak.