Patients suffering from cancer and other serious diseases will no longer have to visit multiple hospitals for treatment. THE TATA Memorial Centre (TMC) is set to establish its first 150-bed multispecialty hospital at the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC) in Kharghar to provide comprehensive healthcare services.
At present, cancer patients at ACTREC often need referrals to other hospitals for non-cancer ailments affecting vital organs like the heart, lungs, and kidneys. The upcoming 12-storey multispecialty building aims to bridge this gap by offering specialised clinics to manage such health complications. Expected to be completed within three years, the hospital will feature over 150 beds to support holistic cancer care.
Expanding Cancer Treatment Capabilities
According to Dr. Naveen Khattry, Deputy Director of ACTREC, a 400-bed hospital dedicated to blood cancer treatment will also be established, catering to both children and adults. Slated for completion by December 2025, this facility will enhance access to treatment for some of the most curable forms of cancer.
“Blood cancers and pediatric cancers have high cure rates. This new unit will help us deliver specialized, high-quality care,” said Dr. Khattry.
State-of-the-Art Facilities
Spanning 2.40 lakh square feet, the hospital will have 150 beds and house experts across various medical specialties. Additionally, a 14-story Hematolymphoid building dedicated to the treatment of blood cancer in children, adults, and pediatric cancer patients will be completed by the end of this year. This facility will have 430 beds, including 20 dedicated bone marrow transplant beds.
Bone marrow transplantation is already a well-established specialty at ACTREC, with over 1,100 transplants performed since 2007. The centre is now broadening its focus on cellular therapies, including CAR-T cell therapy, a revolutionary immunotherapy for blood cancer.
The first CAR-T treatment was administered at ACTREC in June 2021 to a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
New Radiation Oncology Block by 2027
A 12-story Radiation Oncology Block will also be constructed by 2027. This facility will offer advanced radiotherapy treatments for various types of cancer and will be equipped with 12 linear accelerator machines to provide cutting-edge radiation therapy.
Accommodation for Families
TMC is also introducing several initiatives to improve research and patient care, including better accommodation for patients and their caregivers. Funded by the Infosys Foundation, these housing facilities will ensure close access to healthcare while undergoing treatment.
Additionally, a new 11-story St. Jude’s Children’s Cancer Centre is set to open by mid-2025, providing residential support for 220 pediatric cancer patients and their families.
Highlighting the institution’s rapid growth, Dr. Sudeep Gupta, Director of TMC, stated, “We treat approximately 1,20,000 new cancer patients every year across our 11 institutions in seven states. With these upcoming expansions, the facility will have over 1,000 beds, making it one of the largest cancer hospitals in Southeast Asia.”
