Daijiworld Media Network -Panaji

Panaji, Sep 26: India’s first joint integrative oncology clinic was successfully held at the newly inaugurated Integrative Oncology Research and Care Centre at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Dhargalim. The clinic brought together a multi-disciplinary panel of eminent oncologists from modern medicine and the AYUSH system to review four complex cancer cases. Patients and their relatives attended the session, and the experts addressed their queries in detail.

Each case was evaluated from multiple clinical perspectives, and after comprehensive discussion, the panel recommended appropriate therapeutic and adjuvant treatment plans, ensuring an evidence-based, integrative approach. This pioneering initiative, the first of its kind in India, aims to improve cancer treatment outcomes and quality of life by combining conventional oncology with Indian systems of medicine.

The panel included Dr Shripad D Banavali (Medical Oncologist, Director Academics, Tata Memorial Centre), Dr Anuj Kumar (Radiation Oncologist, Tata Memorial Centre), Dr Shekhar Salkar (Senior Oncosurgeon, Manipal Hospital), Dr Sanjay Khedekar (Professor, AIIA), Dr Meenal Joshi (Deputy Director, AYUSH), Dr Mahesh Verlaker (Nodal Officer, National AYUSH Mission), Dr Yogesh Bendale (Senior Ayurveda Physician, Pune), Dr Sneha Bhagwat (Ayurveda Physician), Dr Neelesh Korde (Principal, Gomantak Ayurveda College), Dr Anura Bale (Former Principal, Gomantak Ayurveda College), and Dr Devdutt Sail (Member, Empowered Committee). Senior oncologists and researchers also joined online to contribute their expertise.