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Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital, Varanasi (Under the auspices of Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai and the Indian Railways)

The hospital was established as a unit of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India and managed by Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai. The aim was to bring comprehensive and high quality cancer care at affordable costs to the doorsteps of patients of Varanasi and its neighbouring areas and the States of India. This outreach programme aimed to offer the same quality services at similar costs as provided by Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.

Mission

To provide comprehensive cancer care to one and all, through its motto of excellence in service, education and research.

Vision

To provide leadership in guiding the national policy and strategy for cancer care by:

Promoting outstanding services through evidence based practice of oncology Commitment of imparting education in cancer to students, trainees, professionals’, employees and the public, and, Emphasizing on research that is affordable, innovative and relevant to the needs of the country.

Departments Department of Anesthesia The department of Anaesthesia comprised of Anaesthesia services, critical care and pain management manned by trained and well versed faculty and residents. The department provided round the clock facilities for patient services. A highly equipped anaesthesia set up required for difficult and prolonged surgeries and an intensive care unit for the management of critically ill cancer patients were the hallmarks of this setup. Furthermore, this unit was specialized in the management of cancer pain.  Department of Adult Medical Oncology A comprehensive adult medical oncology team provided facilities for treatment of a variety of cancers that required chemotherapy and supportive care. The unit initially started functioning with the management of solid tumors like head and neck, breast, lung, abdominal, and gynaecological cancers and would soon expand to treat blood cancers also. All facilities like in - patient admission, Daycare, 24 - hour functioning emergency and intensive care units were available.  Department of Pediatric Oncology Pediatric oncology branch of medical oncology looked after treatment of children with cancer. Children who are up to 15 years were seen by pediatric oncologist, who were specially trained to treat children. At HBCH, Varanasi, all children who suffered from any type of cancer were treated. Initially all the facilities to treat all types of cancer may not be available locally, such children will be referred to TMH, Mumbai. In the long run, we will try to provide all kinds of services in this hospital only.

Our aim was to provide the following facilities:

OPD facilities: Here all children with diagnosed or suspected cancer would be seen by pediatric oncologist. Day care facility: Those children, who need chemotherapy but do not need admission, would be treated in day care. They will go home same day after taking their chemotherapy. In patient facility: Those children who required chemotherapy over few days, or were very sick due to disease or treatment would be admitted. They will be looked after 24 x 7 by well-trained doctors and nurses. Emergency services: Twenty four hours emergency services will be available for all kinds of cancer related emergencies. Surgery: All those patients who need surgery will be operated in this hospital only. For some special surgeries, they may have to travel to Mumbai. Radiation therapy: Those children who need radiation therapy will be provided radiation treatment in this hospital through latest technology and machines. Bone Marrow Transplant: This facility will be made available here very shortly. Palliative care: Those children who need palliative treatment will be provided with best palliative service. Department of Preventive Oncology With the principal objective of prevention and early detection of common cancers like breast, gynaecological and head and neck cancers, the departments will work towards raising awareness and concern about cancer and affirming the prevention and curability of cancers if detected early. As the level of cancer awareness rises, the health seeking behaviour towards early detection would increase and consequently, the cancer load in the country will begin to decline.

The Department of Preventive oncology mainly focused on

Preventive Oncology OPD: Screening for oral, breast and cervical cancer to detect precancerous lesions and early detection of cancer. Diagnostic services like oral biopsy, colposcopy and colposcopy directed biopsy are done. Cryotherapy for treatment of precancerous lesions is provided. Health manpower training Training medical officers and Dentists for primary and secondary prevention of cancer. Training of primary health workers, ANMs and ASHA workers for screening of cancer. Tobacco Cessation Clinic A trained Medical social worker/Clinical Psychologist will provide behavioural counselling to individuals who consume tobacco, with follow up counselling whenever required. Pharmacotherapy for tobacco cessation will be provided whenever necessary. Research projects Community Based as well as clinic based research projects on cancer prevention, biomarkers in cancer prevention, Genome-wide Association Study (GWAS) in oral precancerous lesions will be started in collaboration with other centres. Cancer awareness in the community and outreach screening. Health talk in the community for creating awareness about cancer, health hazards of tobacco will be will be conducted on regular basis. Population Based Cancer Registry. The objective of the population based cancer registry is to measure the burden of cancer in terms of incidence and mortality as well to know the pattern of cancer in the Varanasi district. Strengthening the cancer care services in the Varanasi district by using the cancer registry data. Department of Surgery Surgical oncology includes multiple subspecialities. At present the department is divided into three major units- head and neck surgery, general surgical oncology and plastic and reconstructive surgery. We are starting with three well equipped major operation theatres and one minor operation theatre. With time, as we plan to expand the department with more faculty, in patient beds and operation theatres, we will subdivide the surgical facilities into specific organ based departments as followed in TMH Mumbai.

Department of Radiation oncology Radiation oncology is an integral part of cancer treatment. At present there is a Cobalt machine and a Linear Accelerator. Our radiation department will offer modern sophisticated state of art treatment modalities which include 3-D conformal radiotherapy (3-D CRT), Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and stereotactic radiosurgery. In a short span of time, we aim at starting facilities for brachytherapy.

Department of Pathology A proper diagnosis is the key to successful management. The department of pathology incorporates histopathology, cytopathology, immunohistochemistry, molecular pathology and hematopathology. All the divisions will be managed by trained pathologists and technicians. The department will aim in providing precise and timely diagnosis necessary for proper patient management.

Department of Radiodiagnosis The department of radiodiagnosis is well equipped with the latest technology and has Digital Radiography, Mammography, Ultrasonography, Color Doppler, CT scanner and MRI machines. There is also facility for digital Portable radiography, and bed side and intra operative sonography. A ‘C’ arm digital radiography machine is also present for intraoperative radiography and fluoroscopy.

The imaging department also boasts of a PETCT Scanner for better evaluation of cancer.