New Delhi:
Cancer patients are finding renewed hope and improved quality of life through an innovative integrative healthcare model at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) Goa, where modern oncology is being combined with ayurveda, yoga and lifestyle interventions. Officials said the Integrative Oncology outpatient department (OPD), launched in November 2025, has already benefited more than 150 patients.
The Integrative Oncology Care and Research Centre (IOCRC) aims to deliver patient-centred and evidence-informed healthcare by responsibly integrating traditional ayurvedic therapies with contemporary cancer treatment.
“Our focus is not just on treating the disease, but on restoring dignity, functionality and overall well-being in cancer patients,” said Dr Pradeepkumar Prajapati, Director of AIIA.
To achieve this, the centre offers a comprehensive combination of therapies, including Ayurvedic Rasayana therapy, ayurvedic medicines, personalised diet plans, lifestyle modifications and yoga therapy. According to Dr Prajapati, ayurveda views diseases as linked to metabolic imbalance, and improving metabolism through integrative therapies can support healing and recovery.
Dr Sujata Kadam, Dean (Academic and Administration) at AIIA Goa, said the centre represents a major step forward in evidence-based integrative healthcare. “By combining ayurveda’s holistic strengths with modern oncology and supportive therapies, we are addressing critical gaps in cancer care, especially in improving patients’ quality of life,” she said.
Patient Success Stories Highlight Benefits
Clinicians highlighted the case of a 44-year-old woman with diabetes who was diagnosed with metastatic ovarian cancer three years ago. After undergoing surgery and chemotherapy, she developed kidney metastasis and required nephrectomy followed by further chemotherapy. Multiple surgeries significantly affected her quality of life, causing fatigue, insomnia, weight gain, joint pain and reduced mobility.
Unable to manage routine activities, she visited the Integrative Oncology OPD on her daughter’s recommendation. “Earlier, I could barely walk and suffered from anorexia, insomnia, fatigue, joint pain and depression. After receiving treatment at IOCRC, I feel much better and there has been a significant improvement,” she said.
Another case involved a 70-year-old woman with Stage-3 colon cancer who underwent surgery and received ayurvedic treatment for nine months. Post-surgery, she experienced digestive issues, insomnia, fatigue and depression. With ayurvedic medicines, diet therapy, yoga and counselling, she gradually recovered and reported significant improvement in her physical and mental health.
“I was psychologically disturbed and physically weak after surgery. After starting treatment here, I received significant relief. The counselling on lifestyle, diet and medicines was truly exceptional,” she said.
Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Cancer Care Model
According to Vaidya Sanjay Khedekar, Associate Professor and Convenor of IOCRC, the centre provides a holistic combination of ayurveda medicines, diet therapy, yoga, lifestyle modification, psychological counselling and specialised Rasayana therapy to enhance survivorship and quality of life.
To strengthen research in integrative oncology, a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on National Ayurveda Day (September 23, 2025) between the Directorate of Health Services, Government of Goa, ACTREC-Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, and AIIA Goa. Under this collaboration, an integrative oncology joint clinic has been established where patients are jointly evaluated by Tata Memorial oncologists, private oncologists from Goa and ayurveda physicians from AIIA Goa.
Treatment plans are finalised through multidisciplinary discussions and shared with patients, who can choose to adopt the integrative care approach.
The centre integrates ayurveda-based medical therapy, diet and lifestyle interventions, Rasayana therapy, yoga, physiotherapy and modern oncology consultations, enabling personalised treatment planning, caregiver counselling and structured follow-up.
Dr Kadam said the centre uses structured documentation and outcome tracking to measure functional improvements and sustained gains in patients’ quality of life. “Our future focus is to develop standardised treatment guidelines and generate robust evidence to replicate this model at larger public health levels,” Dr Khedekar added.
Policy Support and Future Vision
The integrative healthcare model is gaining policy backing at the state level. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant recently highlighted the state’s potential in holistic wellness and called for clear guidelines to strengthen integrated care, reiterating Goa’s ambition to become a global wellness and medical value travel hub.
The initiative aligns with the National Health Policy 2017, which advocates integrative, preventive, promotive and rehabilitative healthcare across the continuum of care.