National Cancer Grid

Connecting Rural Healthcare with World class Cancer Care

The National Cancer Grid is a collaborative initiative launched in 2012 to standardize cancer care across India. Coordinated by the Tata Memorial Centre, it connects over 300 cancer centers and research institutions to promote uniform, evidence-based treatment, equitable access, and collaborative research. NCG also focuses on training healthcare professionals and encouraging affordable innovations, playing a key role in improving cancer outcomes nationwide.

NCG Collaboration with 10BedICU: TeleOPD Oncology Pilot

The TeleOPD Oncology Pilot at Manipur is a collaborative initiative between Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH), the National Cancer Grid (NCG), eGov Foundation, and the Health Department of Manipur. The project aims to bridge the gap in access to quality cancer care in remote and underserved regions by leveraging digital health infrastructure and specialist expertise.

TMH, a premier institution in cancer care and the pilot centre for NCG’s TeleOPD initiative, provides oncology consultations remotely through the CARE Electronic Medical Record (EMR) platform. This platform was earlier implemented as part of the 10BedICU project across 16 government district hospitals in Manipur, enabling digital patient record-keeping and TeleICU services.

Building on this foundation, the TeleOPD project introduces oncology care through virtual consultations, training for local healthcare providers on NCG protocols, and enhanced digital tools including AI-assisted features in the EMR. TMH provides specialist support, while eGov ensures digital infrastructure and operational support. The Health Department enables on-ground implementation through hospital readiness, staffing, and digital governance.

This pilot demonstrates a scalable model for delivering specialist care in low-resource settings, helping to ensure timely diagnosis, treatment planning, and follow-up for cancer patients—without requiring them to travel long distances.