HCMCT Manipal Hospital, Dwarka, has launched a Special Oncology Outpatient Department (OPD) in Guwahati to improve access to specialist cancer consultations amid the rising cancer burden in India. The initiative aims to help patients receive timely expert advice closer to home, reducing the need to travel for advanced oncology consultations and treatment.The specialised OPD will operate every second Sunday from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at UHS, Vista Super Specialty Clinic in Lachit Nagar, Guwahati. Consultations will be provided by Dr. Bikram Kumar Deka, Consultant – Surgical Oncology at HCMCT Manipal Hospital, Dwarka.
The launch comes as cancer cases continue to rise across the country. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of cancer cases in India is expected to double by 2050. Gastrointestinal, breast, lung, oral and cervical cancers remain among the most commonly diagnosed cancers, highlighting the importance of early screening, timely diagnosis and specialist care.Dr. Deka said the growing number of suspected and diagnosed cancer patients underscores the need for regular screening and quicker access to oncology experts. He noted that while early-stage cancers can often be managed effectively, patients with advanced or complex cancers can now benefit from minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgeries that offer greater precision, faster recovery and improved clinical outcomes.
In Guwahati, the new oncology OPD strengthens the city’s position as an emerging healthcare hub for Assam and the Northeast. Improved access to specialist consultations is expected to reduce patient travel to metro cities for initial cancer evaluations, while supporting demand for advanced diagnostic services, specialty clinics and allied healthcare infrastructure in Guwahati.HCMCT Manipal Hospital said the initiative reflects its broader strategy to expand specialised oncology services closer to patients. Manipal Hospitals currently operates a network of 49 hospitals across 24 Indian cities with more than 12,600 licensed beds, serving over eight million patients annually.