Panaji: Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant underlined the importance of integrating traditional and modern medicine in cancer treatment and strengthening palliative care services while inaugurating the 38th National Conference of the Indian Association of Surgical Oncology (IASO NATCON 2025) held in the state last weekend.
The four-day conference, themed OncoVoyage: Sea to Summit – Navigating Cancer Surgery, was hosted by the GOKARMA Oncology Association near Panaji. The event brought together leading oncologists, surgeons, researchers, and healthcare professionals from India and abroad.
In his inaugural address, Dr Sawant said Goa has taken pioneering steps in integrative oncology by combining the strengths of Ayurveda, Yoga, and modern medicine. He said the first Joint Integrative Oncology Clinic, established at the All India Institute of Ayurveda in Dhargal in collaboration with the Tata Memorial Centre’s ACTREC, has set a new benchmark in holistic, patient-centered care.
Highlighting the growing significance of palliative care, he said that while modern medicine has succeeded in extending life, equal focus must be placed on ensuring dignity and quality of life for patients. He lauded healthcare professionals in palliative services as the true pillars of empathy in healthcare.
The Chief Minister also praised the GOKARMA Oncology Association for its efforts in decentralising cancer care across the Konkan belt. He said the region has witnessed remarkable progress—from having only a few linear accelerator (LINAC) machines earlier to now possessing more than 15 advanced radiotherapy units.
Rajya Sabha MP and BJP Goa President Sadanand Shet Tanavade also attended the inaugural ceremony and lauded the oncologists for their commitment to serving their home region, calling it a true act of nation-building.
The conference featured participation from oncologists across SAARC nations and faculty from countries including the USA, UK, Brazil, and Germany. Eminent experts such as Dr Peter Cordeiro, Dr Chandrakant Are, Dr Russel Berman, and Dr Suzanne Gisbertz were among the international speakers.
The event was chaired by Dr Shekhar Salkar with Dr Sanjeev Kulgod as the organising secretary. The four-day meet included orations, plenary sessions, workshops, and panel discussions focusing on advances in surgical oncology and multidisciplinary cancer care.
