IOCI-ILS Partnership Brings Advanced Cancer Care to Tripura
Agartala Oct 14: Even though Tripura records one of the lowest cancer prevalence rates in India—and the lowest in the Northeast—around 4,000 new cancer cases are detected in the state every year, said cancer specialist Dr. Gautam Majumdar.
Citing data from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Dr. Majumdar revealed that about 70 out of every 10,000 people in rural Tripura and 120 out of every 10,000 in urban areas are diagnosed with cancer annually.
Addressing a press conference at the Agartala Press Club on Tuesday, Dr. Majumdar, along with other oncology specialists, detailed the advanced treatment facilities introduced by the International Oncology Cancer Institute (IOCI) in collaboration with ILS Hospital, Agartala. He said the collaboration has opened a new era of world-class, comprehensive cancer treatment in Tripura, significantly improving accessibility for patients in the region.
Dr. Majumdar was joined by Dr. Gaurav Kumar Dubey (Nuclear Medicine), Dr. Devleena Gangopadhyay (Medical Oncology), Dr. Debanjan Chakraborty (Radiation Oncology), and Dr. Tapan Sharma (Surgical Oncology)—all of whom bring extensive experience from leading oncology institutions across India.
Emphasizing the importance of early detection, Dr. Majumdar urged the public to undergo regular, age-appropriate screenings such as mammograms, Pap smears, colonoscopies, and low-dose CT scans for individuals at higher risk.
Highlighting the state’s progress in cancer treatment, Dr. Majumdar pointed out that until recently, Tripura had no trained medical oncologist. Through the IOCI-ILS initiative, patients can now access medical oncology services locally under the supervision of Dr. Devleena Gangopadhyay, a seasoned expert in the field.
He further informed the media that patients can avail Ayushman Bharat benefits for cancer treatment, ensuring that advanced therapies remain both accessible and affordable for the people of Tripura.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Debanjan Chakraborty noted that head and neck cancers are the most common in the state. He urged the public to refrain from tobacco and alcohol use, identifying them as major causes of cancer.
A partnership agreement between IOCI and ILS Hospital was signed on June 22, 2024, paving the way for the establishment of a dedicated private cancer hospital in Tripura. Earlier, on June 13, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha inaugurated IOCI’s Linear Accelerator machine, marking a significant milestone in modern cancer treatment infrastructure in the state.
At present, IOCI offers a comprehensive range of oncology services at ILS Hospital, including Chemotherapy, PET-CT, Advanced Radiotherapy, Onco-Surgery, Targeted Therapy, Immunotherapy, and Second Opinion Consultations.
