Agartala, 12th June 2026: HCG Cancer Hospital, Kolkata, a dedicated single-specialty cancer hospital offering comprehensive cancer care across medical, surgical and radiation oncology, has launched a monthly specialist oncology OPD in Agartala, bringing expert cancer-care consultation closer to patients in Tripura and the wider North-East. This announcement was made today at Press Club here by the authorities from the hospital.
Consultants from HCG Cancer Hospital, Kolkata, will visit Agartala every month to examine patients, review reports, advise on investigations and help plan treatment in coordination with local doctors.
The OPD is aimed at reducing the need for patients to travel outside the state at every stage of cancer care. Tripura records nearly 4,000 new cancer cases every year. However, tertiary oncology infrastructure in the state has historically been limited. This has often forced patients to travel elsewhere for diagnosis, treatment planning and advanced interventions. Screening also remains a concern. NCDIR data shows that only 0.4% of women aged 30-49 in Tripura had undergone breast examination and only 0.2% of men in the same age group had undergone oral cancer screening – both figures well below the national mark.
“Cancer care needs timely diagnosis, proper staging and a multidisciplinary treatment plan. Through this OPD, HCG Kolkata specialists will visit Agartala regularly. We will work with local colleagues so that patients receive appropriate evaluation and, wherever possible, continue treatment or follow-up closer home.” said Dr Arijit Bishnu, Consultant – Haematology & BMT, HCG Cancer Hospital, Kolkata.
“Specialised cancer care must travel closer to people. This OPD, part of our expanding outreach across eastern India, is a step towards more accessible, coordinated and multimodal cancer care for patients from Tripura,” said Dr Rupali Basu, RBH (East & AP), HCG Cancer Hospital, Kolkata. “HCG Cancer Hospital. Kolkata, is also in the process of completing paperwork for a proposed tie-up with the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Regional Cancer Centre in Agartala.
Once formalised, the collaboration is expected to enable closer clinical integration and cashless treatment access for eligible Tripura residents seeking advanced care at HCG Cancer Hospital, Kolkata, Dr Basu said.
