The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Goa successfully hosted the second Stakeholder Deliberation Meeting on Integrative Oncology at its Dhargal campus. The development comes through as a significant milestone in strengthening Goa’s role as a hub for integrative oncology, fostering collaboration between premier institutions like AIIA and ACTREC, Tata Memorial Center and paving the way for innovative, patient-centric cancer care models, stated a press release issued by AIIA.
The program brought together leading experts from the fields of Ayurveda, modern medicine experts in oncology to deliberate on creating a collaborative framework for integrative cancer care in
India.
The meeting was inaugurated with opening remarks by Dr. Sujata Kadam, Dean, AIIA Goa, and Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi, Director, ACTREC Tata Memorial Centre, followed by a series of key presentations.
The deliberations covered a wide spectrum of initiatives, including collaborative clinical research and digital integration led by ACTREC Tata Memorial Centre and presented by Dr. Vikram Gota, alongside the ongoing Ayurveda initiatives, the oncology infrastructure
readiness and implementation plan at AIIA Goa, as outlined by Dr. Sujata Kadam, emphasises an integrative approach to cancer care.
Dr. Anura Bale, Principal GAM&RC, highlighted medicinal plant cultivation strategies in alignment with program objectives, while Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Senior Oncologist, Goa, discussed the feasibility of a joint tumor board
integrating AYUSH and modern oncology from Goa Medical College and experts from ACTREC (Tata Memorial Centre Mumbai).
The session also featured Dr. Devdutt M. Sail, who presented the concept of a National Integrative Oncology Grid, stressing the importance of research mapping and protocol standardisation.
The deliberations were followed by open forum discussions, committee formation, protocol finalisation, and an institutional audit of AIIA Dhargal by ACTREC and DHS officials and Goa medical college.
In the afternoon session, Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi led the finalisation of the program blueprint, to be presented to the Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant.
The evening session at the Secretariat, Porvorim, commenced with welcome remarks by Dr. Mahesh Verlekar, Nodal Officer, NAM, DHS Goa, and a summary presentation of key agreements and institutional commitments by Dr. Sujata Kadam and Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi and Dr Shekhar Salkar.
Arun Kumar Mishra, Secretary Health, while emphasising the importance of strengthening the field of integrative oncology, assured the full cooperation and support of the Government of Goa to this pioneering initiative, highlighting its potential to enhance patient care and position Goa as a model for holistic cancer treatment in the country.
The program culminated with an address by Dr. Pramod Sawant, who congratulated all stakeholders for their active participation, urged the need for an “Integrative Oncology Mission” and outlined the state’s vision, policy direction, and institutional support for advancing integrative oncology through the Goa model.
The deliberation saw participation from distinguished experts and members of the empowered Commitee, including Trupti Manerkar, Joint-Secretary (Health), Dr. Pooja Madkaikar, Under Secretary and Director Administration DHS; Dr Uttam Desai, deputy director DHS, Dr. Nilesh Korde, Principal, Gomantak Ayurved College; Dr. Manohar Gundeti, CARI Mumbai; Dr. Sneha Bhagwat, President, Goa Ayurveda Council; representative of Goa medical college Dr Sandip Sardesai; Dr. Avinash Kadam, CSO, Rasayu Group; and Dr. Vinayak Tembhurnikar, NIMA, along with faculty members of AIIA Goa. Their collective presence brought diverse perspectives spanning policy, education, research, clinical practice, regulation, and industry, enriching the deliberations significantly.
Dr Sudeep Gupta, Director Tata Memorial Centre and Dr Yoguesh Bandale, Chairman of Rasayu Group, attended and contributed to the discussion on video conference.
