Bio
Dr. Virender Suhag is a radiation oncologist based in Delhi, India, with a distinguished career focused on improving cancer care in the Indian context. He serves as the Head of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Army Hospital (Research and Referral), where he combines clinical expertise with a deep commitment to patient support, particularly in the areas of psychosocial care for pediatric cancer patients and addressing malnutrition and cachexia in oncology. Dr. Suhag holds an MD, DNB, and PGDHHM, reflecting his multidisciplinary training. He is the author of over 60 scholarly works, including notable papers such as 'The Oncology Scenario in India: Lots of Gaps Need to be Bridged', 'Psychosocial Support for Distressed Parents of Pediatric Cancer Patients', and 'Cancer, Malnutrition and Cachexia: We Must Break the Triad'. His research has garnered 269 citations, with an h-index of 7 and an i10-index of 5, underscoring his influence in the field. Additionally, Dr. Suhag serves as a reviewer for the Global Journal of Research in Engineering (GJRE), contributing to the advancement of oncological knowledge. His work remains pivotal in bridging gaps in oncology services and advocating for holistic patient care in India.
Educational Journey
MD DNB PGDHHM
Experience
ARMY HOSPITAL
HOD
0 - 0 • Radiation OncologyEditors Role
Editorial Member
IJCTO
0 -Research
The Oncology Scenario in India: Lots of Gaps Need to be Bridged
As the second most populous nation and one of the fastest-growing major economies, India faces many challenges, one such burning issue is the provision of cancer care. There is a huge gap in the demand and supply of health care resources in Indian oncology scenario, mainly due to steadily aging populations and also to current trends in smoking prevalence and the growing adoption of unhealthy lifestyles. Slightly more than 1 million new cases of cancer are diagnosed every year in a population of 1.2 billion. Although incidence of cancer is low in India compared with high-income countries, mortality is high; with approximately 600,000- 700,000 deaths in 2012. Many cancer cases in India are associated with tobacco use, infections, and other avoidable causes. Cancer can have profound psychological, social and economic consequences for people in India, often leading to family impoverishment and societal inequity. Currently, overall public expenditure on health care is only 1.5% of GDP. The socioeconomic, service delivery and cost and resource implications from this enormous burden require urgent attention from central and state governments, cancer communities, and public health communities to reduce their effect in a sustainable and cost-effective manner. We discuss specific barriers that must be overcome to improve prevention and early detection, enhance prompt treatment, and provide cost-effective palliative care for patients with advanced stage disease.
