Lancet Commission Assigns Dr Naveen Salins as Commissioner to Lead Study on the Cancer in Low-resource Regions

Dr. Naveen Salins has been appointed as the Lancet Commission's new Commissioner. He is well-known for his contributions to Palliative Medicine and Cancer Care,, and he will lead a comprehensive study addressing the humanitarian crisis of cancer in low-resource regions around the world. Dr. Salins is a Professor and the Head of the Palliative Medicine Department at Kasturba Medical College Manipal, as well as the Coordinator of the Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Care Centre and the Associate Dean of Research.

The commission is made up of distinguished experts from Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and Oceania. It will hold its first meeting in London from November 15-17, 2023, followed by another in Toronto in 2024. Dr. Salins and his team will diligently analyse the underlying factors contributing to the disparity between the biomedical and humanitarian aspects of cancer care over the next two years (2023-2025). Their mission includes developing strategic approaches to address this imbalance while investigating the complex interplay of political economy, value systems, and commercial drivers that influence resource allocation for cancer research, education, and clinical care.

Dr Salins' recent receipt of the prestigious international palliative care award from the European Association of Palliative Care in Rotterdam, Netherlands, highlights his enormous clinical impact of research in the field. This initiative comes at a critical juncture in addressing the global health burden imposed by cancer, and it provides India with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lead and guide international efforts to alleviate the suffering caused by this debilitating disease. His leadership and the Lancet Commission's collective efforts are poised to have a significant impact on international health policies concerning cancer care, resource allocation, and the alleviation of financial strains associated with cancer treatment. Dr HS Ballal, Pro-Chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) and Dr MD Venkatesh, Vice-Chancellor of MAHE, lauded Dr Salins along with Dr Padmaraj Hegde, Dean of Kasturba Medical College, who appreciated his expertise in advancing cancer care and research.