Asian Institute Of Oncology To Move Out Of Raheja Hospital?

Rita Dutta - Mumbai

A few years back, a group of oncologists moved out of Tata Memorial Hospital to found Asian Institute Of Oncology (AIO), housed at S L Raheja Hospital, Mahim. But soon oncologists at AIO may move out of Raheja Hospital and establish another hospital in Mumbai. The group of oncologists may move to a new hospital, en mass or some may also join other hospitals, say highly-placed sources.

The oncolgists have decided to move out because they want to form their own consortium, with a hospital dedicated to oncology. The other reason prompting them to leave is the simmering differences with the hospital management. “The bone of contention is mainly about the management’s initial promise to build a department of radio therapy and an advanced department of histopathology, which have not been fulfilled,” say sources.

“Radio therapy is a very important modality of oncology, besides medical and surgical oncology. It is the most crowded departments of oncology,” says an expert. Oncologists have reasons to be disgruntled as the hospital earns as much as 80 per cent of its revenue from the AIO, the expert adds.

When contacted, Padmabhushan Dr S H Advani, Director, Medical Oncology, AIO, said, “We have not decided about the place or the time about the new hospital. It may take three to four years’ time.”

Refusing to use the word ‘moving out’ he said, “It is a continuum of our work. Mumbai needs as many as 10 more hospitals and ours would be catering to that need.” He refused to comment on the differences with the management over establishing the radio therapy department.