NE HEALTH BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, MAY 30
In a major boost to cancer care infrastructure in Gujarat, Narayana Hospital Ahmedabad has launched a cutting-edge Radiation Oncology Centre that promises faster, safer and more precise treatment for thousands of cancer patients across the state.
The facility, inaugurated by Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel, marks a significant milestone in expanding access to advanced cancer treatment and reducing the burden on patients who often travel long distances in search of specialised oncology services.
- Narayana Hospital Ahmedabad launches state-of-the-art Radiation Oncology Centre to enhance cancer treatment access in Gujarat.
- Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel inaugurates facility equipped with advanced Halcyon radiation therapy technology.
- New centre aims to reduce treatment delays and eliminate the need for patients to travel outside the state for specialised care.
- Gujarat records over 70,000 new cancer cases annually, highlighting the urgent need for expanded oncology infrastructure.
- Integrated oncology services now offer Medical, Surgical and Radiation Oncology under one roof.
Bringing World-Class Cancer Care Closer to Home
Cancer remains one of India’s fastest-growing healthcare challenges, with delayed diagnosis and limited access to treatment often impacting patient outcomes.
The newly launched Radiation Oncology Centre aims to bridge this critical healthcare gap by providing advanced radiation therapy services within Gujarat itself.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Devi Shetty, Founder and Chairman, Narayana Health, said:
“The burden of cancer is rising, and the margin for delay is shrinking every day. Early and precise intervention can be the difference between recovery and irreversible progression, and every patient deserves access to that, close to home. This centre is our commitment to the people of Gujarat that they will not have to wait, or travel, for the care they need.”
Why Radiation Therapy Matters
Radiation therapy remains one of the most effective weapons against cancer. It uses carefully targeted high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells, shrink tumours and prevent disease progression.
The treatment is often crucial at various stages of cancer care—from curative treatment in early-stage cancers to symptom management and improved quality of life in advanced cases.
However, access remains a challenge.
India currently operates only around 550 radiotherapy machines, significantly below the World Health Organization’s recommendation of one machine per million population.
The situation is equally pressing in Gujarat, where an estimated 70,000 to 73,000 new cancer cases are reported annually. Nearly 40 percent of these cases are diagnosed at advanced stages, making timely access to treatment critical.
Halcyon Technology: Faster, Smarter and More Precise
At the heart of the new centre is the Halcyon Radiation Therapy System, an advanced platform designed to deliver high-precision cancer treatment while enhancing patient comfort.
The system employs daily CT imaging to achieve millimetre-level accuracy before each treatment session. It supports advanced treatment techniques including:
- Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
- Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT)
- Stereotactic Radiosurgery
These technologies enable oncologists to deliver highly targeted radiation doses while minimising exposure to healthy surrounding tissues.
One of the key advantages is speed, with some treatment sessions completed in as little as two minutes.
Improving Patient Experience and Outcomes
According to experts, shorter treatment times not only improve efficiency but also make the process less stressful for patients.
Dr. Tasneem Nalawala, Consultant Radiation Oncologist at Narayana Hospital Ahmedabad, explained:
“Halcyon allows us to deliver accurate, image-guided treatments in just a few minutes. Shorter treatment times make a meaningful difference to patient experience, particularly for those who find prolonged sessions difficult. This technology lets us uphold the highest clinical standards while making care genuinely more accessible.”
The technology also helps reduce unnecessary radiation exposure, potentially lowering treatment-related side effects and improving recovery experiences.
Building a Comprehensive Cancer Care Ecosystem
With the addition of Radiation Oncology services, Narayana Hospital Ahmedabad now offers a fully integrated cancer care ecosystem encompassing Medical Oncology, Surgical Oncology and Radiation Oncology under one roof.
Mr. Hemant Bhatnagar, Facility Director, Narayana Hospital Ahmedabad, said:
“This centre represents our conviction that world-class cancer care must be available where patients live, not just far from home. With the Halcyon system, we are equipped to serve a significantly larger number of patients with greater accuracy, shorter treatment times, and a meaningfully better care experience.”
Healthcare experts believe such integrated cancer centres can significantly improve coordination among specialists, resulting in faster diagnosis, personalised treatment plans and better patient outcomes.
A New Chapter in Gujarat’s Cancer Care Journey
The launch of the Radiation Oncology Centre reflects a broader healthcare transformation underway in Gujarat, where demand for advanced speciality care continues to grow.
For patients and families confronting cancer, the facility represents more than new technology—it offers hope, convenience and timely access to life-saving treatment closer to home.
As cancer cases continue to rise across India, initiatives like this underline the importance of expanding advanced healthcare infrastructure and ensuring that geography never becomes a barrier to quality treatment.
