OCA and Apollo Hospitals sign MoU on cancer care

Muscat: The Oman Cancer Association (OCA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India’s Apollo Hospitals to promote expertise sharing and technical cooperation in cancer care. OCA is a non-governmental, non-profit charitable organisation founded by four-time cancer survivor Yuthar al Rawahi.

The MoU was signed by Dr Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director of Apollo Hospitals Group, and Dr Wahid al Kharusi, President and Chairperson of OCA, on the sidelines of the recent two-day visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Oman.  

Under the agreement, both organisations will collaborate on clinical programmes aimed at upgrading medical knowledge, exchanging scientific data, undertaking joint research, enhancing patient education and developing protocols for early cancer detection.

Speaking to Observer, Dr Reddy said Apollo Hospitals is actively exploring partnerships across Oman and the wider GCC region, including the possibility of establishing a local presence. She noted that discussions include collaboration on advanced diagnostics, remote testing and specialist services to improve access to high-quality healthcare.

“We are evaluating partnership models that would allow high-end diagnostic samples to be processed through our global reference laboratories, while also exploring the feasibility of setting up a base in Oman. Such collaborations can significantly enhance access to specialised care,” she said.

Dr Reddy added that other members of the Indian delegation accompanying the Prime Minister are examining opportunities for cooperation in pharmaceuticals, vaccine development and medical manufacturing, reflecting the expanding scope of healthcare collaboration between India and Oman.

Highlighting India’s healthcare strengths, Dr Reddy said the country offers a unique combination of clinical excellence, advanced technology, and affordability. “India delivers world-class healthcare outcomes at nearly one-tenth of global costs, making it a natural destination for those seeking quality treatment at accessible prices,” she said during a press conference at the InterCity Hotel.

She also underlined India’s growing stature as a global hub for medical and wellness tourism, aligning with Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Heal in India’ vision. The initiative positions India as a preferred destination by integrating high-quality care, digital health platforms, telemedicine services such as e-Sanjeevani, streamlined medical visas, and holistic wellness systems, including Ayurveda.

“Our hospitals deliver outcomes comparable to the best in the world, yet at a fraction of the cost. This makes India attractive not only for individuals, but also for governments seeking to optimise healthcare coverage,” Dr Reddy noted, adding that Apollo Hospitals partners with the Indian government under public-private partnership models to develop technology-enabled primary healthcare centres with centralised digital monitoring.