Mumbai as everyone knows is the Mecca of Cancer treatment. The first thing that comes to a patients mind when it comes to cancer is Tata hospital at Mumbai. Of late I have been escorting a relative of mine to this hospital. I see a lot of people from the north east and in particular Manipur and of course from the rest of India as well, especially the Bengalis, UPites all for some form of treatment or the other. If one hangs around with the BABINA CLINIC EMBOSSED white bag one can be sure of a Manipuri around. as many are aware Mumbai is a very expensive to live in. The expenses are higher than any other city in India. One should be careful before planning to come to Mumbai for a cancer related treatment. Some tips are as follows

1. Be prepared to wait for at least a month before the surgery dates are given. That means accommodation for that month in a place in the vicinity of the hospital. There is a police-housing complex near the hospital, which will give accommodation to patients if accompanied with a letter from an IPS officer. There is a wait list here too.
   
   

2. Also one should know that all tests would be repeated irrespective of whether it has been done or not. These reports itself takes weeks. Make sure that a patient has the biopsy slides ready when they come for checkups.
   
   

3. Saturdays and Sundays are holidays. So plan accordingly. Avoid reaching here on Fridays to meet the surgeon the next day.
   
   

4. Know which surgeon to meet when u arrive at the hospital.
   
   

5. here is always a wait list for hospital beds for private wards and semi wards and be prepared to wait till your turn comes. Wait list 7-10 takes at least 2 weeks of waiting.
   
   

6. Hospital rates for private are about 1500/day and 1000 for semi private wards. Doctors fees ranges from 10,000 upwards.
   
   

7. Accompany a person who understands Hindi or English fluently. Its therefore not very easy coming here for treatment. On the contrary it's a very cumbersome process. The admission takes at least an hour as the counters are scattered across the length and breadth of the hospital. After all its a government hospital. Many are new and first timers to the city and all this unfolds before the patients when they come here hoping everything will be smooth.

IT WILL BE NICE IF ONE CAN TAKE UP SOME PRE DEPARTURE COUNCELLING BEFORE THE PATIENTS START, PREFERABLY IN THE HOSPITAL ITSELF.IT WILL INDEED BE A HUGE LOAD OFF THEIR SHOULDERS.