Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Varian Medical Systems, USA, Join Hands

by Shrutee K/DNS

‘Knowledge is POWER when SHARED.’ This is a concept Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital has always held true to heart. With the onset of a growing number of cases related to cancer, Varian Technologies, in collaboration with Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, is offering Asia’s first Stereotactic Radio Surgery and Stereotactic Radiotherapy Clinical School. While arming established medical practitioners with cutting-edge technology management training, the course will also enable radiation oncologists and physicists to offer better patient-centric treatment protocols.

As this is the first-of-its-kind training centre in Asia, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital will also host medical professionals from across Asia who wish to be part of the training. The aim of establishing this centre is to provide quality healthcare, which was previously available only in the West, across India and other Asian countries.

Indeed, for the past 10 years, The Centre for Cancer at Kokilaben Hospital has been offering the most advanced treatment options in Western India. It has highly qualified cancer specialists and practices evidence-based medicine with a multidisciplinary approach and the latest technology. Thus, it has been a natural progression to share its expertise and knowledge with communities at large.

The Varian Training Centre for Radiation Technologists involves case-based learning with expert clinicians from some of the leading cancer centres in the country. The present programme is designed to fortify the abilities of already trained candidates who are familiar with radiotherapy, but not competent with state-of-the-art technologies. Professionals will be trained on the newest technologies available in the field of radiation oncology. The candidates in this fellowship programme will be exposed to high-end treatment modalities, enabling them to work in independent radiation oncology departments on modern equipment. Candidates who desire to learn new skills will get an edge in the field of radiation oncology medical practice, medical physics, and technology through this programme. The course will also allow aspirants from the lower strata of society to be skilled in managing the equipment required for radiotherapy.

Kolleen Kennedy, Executive Vice-President - Oncology Systems, and Sue Merrit, Senior Director of Education for Varian Medical Systems, were present in Mumbai with Tina Ambani, Chairperson, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, to shed light on the establishment of this unique programme.