Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, organized a Preceptorship Programme on Lymphoma for in-training and recently graduated healthcare professionals in association with the Indian Society of Medical & Paediatric Oncology (ISMPO).
The two-day programme was held to enhance the clinical learning and development of 30 young doctors who got an opportunity to know more about Lymphoma from top oncologists in India and abroad. The event was structured to provide the participants the necessary guidance and support to transition from academia to clinical practice. It covered all aspects of Lymphoma management including epidemiology, diagnostics, molecular pathology , multidisciplinary treatment and cellular therapy.
A range of experts from Amrita Hospital addressed the audience, including Dr. Prashant Mehta, Senior Consultant , Medical Oncology / Hematoncology / BMT; Dr. Pravas Mishra, Professor, Hematology, Medical Oncology & BMT; Dr. Saphalta Baghmar, Senior Consultant , Medical Oncology; Dr. Rishabh Kumar, Consultant, Radiation Oncology; Dr. Bhaskar V, Professor, Radiation Oncology, Dr. Moushumi Suryavanshi, Head, Molecular Biology; and Dr. Gaurav Khanna, Consultant, Pathology.
Said Dr. Sanjeev Singh, Medical Director, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad: “Imparting knowledge and sharing experiences with young faculty can have a significant impact on patient care, so we are delighted to introduce this learning programme on Lymphoma. Our aim was to connect young healthcare providers, who are the future of the medical system, with the best of experts in the field of lymphoma management. This initiative would not only benefit individual participants, but also help improve the quality of cancer care in India.”
Added Dr Padmaj Kulkarni, Program Director, ISMPO Preceptorship Programme: "The Programme will benefit new health professionals by updating their skills and knowledge on treating Lymphoma and enrich them with knowledge about newer treatments like CAR T- cells, newer monoclonal bodies, and bi-specific antibodies."
Said Dr. Prashant Mehta, Senior Consultant, Medical Onclogy, Hematoncology & BMT, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad:: “Lymphoma is a major health problem in India, but is not well represented or talked about. Almost 50,000 cases of Lymphoma are reported annually in the country but, considering that the National Cancer Registry covers only a small percentage of patients, this figure is just the tip of the iceberg. The actual number of cases could be 15 to 30 times higher. As we continue to witness an increase in the incidence of cancer and hematological malignancies, it is important to consider the role of environmental factors that may be contributing to this trend, some of which are yet unknown to us. However, diagnostic capabilities have also vastly improved, enabling better detection of cases. This may be another factor contributing to the rising numbers of cancer cases in India."
Added Dr. Prashant Mehta, Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology, Hematoncology & BMT: ”We are excited to see the development of new immune therapy strategies and CAR T-cell therapy for the treatment of lymphoma, which has shown promising results in improving patient outcomes. While chemotherapy remains the backbone of treatment, these advances offer new avenues for effective management of the disease. CAR T-cell therapy is not yet widely available in India, but we hope that with continued research and investment, we can bring these innovative treatments to more patients in need."
The Preceptorship Programme is part of Amrita Hospital's ongoing commitment to professional development and patient care. By investing in the next generation of healthcare professionals, the hospital hopes to create a sustainable workforce that can meet the evolving needs of patients and communities, said Dr. Sanjeev Singh, Medical Director, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad.
