Gurgaon-based Medanta – The Medicity, named Best Private Hospital in India by Newsweek for six consecutive years, has strengthened its outreach in the North Eastern region, bringing specialized expertise in Medical Oncology to Dimapur, with a focus on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics to transform cancer care.
At an event in Dimapur on September 16, 2025, held in association with the NGO Beyond Cancer and Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR), Dr. Amit Bhargava, Director of Medical Oncology, Cancer Care at Medanta, spoke about advances in medical oncology over the last decade, which allow doctors to tailor cancer treatment to the unique genetic and molecular profile of each patient’s tumour. He also emphasized the importance of early detection, which improves treatment outcomes by providing care at the earliest possible stage.
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and a critical health concern in India, with an estimated 14 lakh new cases in 2023, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The North Eastern states of India record some of the highest incidences of cancer—a situation further exacerbated by inadequate treatment facilities. Nagaland, in particular, faces unique healthcare challenges due to a high prevalence of cancer, especially linked to tobacco use, which accounts for more than a third of cancer cases in males and over 11% in females.
Speaking on “Recent Advances in Medical Oncology (Precision Oncology)”, Dr. Bhargava said, “AI and data analytics have transformed precision oncology, helping doctors make sense of vast clinical datasets. AI-driven platforms can predict treatment responses, identify novel drug targets, and even design adaptive clinical trials that accelerate the availability of new therapies. Instead of relying solely on traditional chemotherapy, oncologists can now analyze tumour DNA through next-generation sequencing to identify specific mutations or biomarkers that trigger cancer growth, allowing for targeted therapies that block those genes.”
A day after the event, Dr. Bhargava and other doctors from Medanta held an OPD in Dimapur, extending the hospital’s award-winning specialist consultations and diagnostic services closer to the people of Nagaland.