THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
The Goa government has tied up with Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, and Oxford University, London, to launch a decade long health study tracking one lakh Goan adults.
The ‘Goa Care Longitudinal Cohort Study 2026’ will monitor adults aged 25 to 70 years for blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose levels, and other health parameters.
Researchers will also study household disease history, dietary habits, lifestyle changes, and environmental factors, with an aim to generate data on how lifestyle and pollution contribute to rising cases of cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases.
Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant signed the MoU between the Directorate of Health Services, Tata Memorial Centre’s Cancer Epidemiology division, and Oxford University earlier last week.
Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, Health Director Dr Rupa Naik, and Tata Memorial’s Dr Rajesh Dikshit were also present.
Sawant said the study would help identify why certain diseases are increasing, which groups are most vulnerable, and how treatment outcomes vary depending on the stage of intervention.
“This is the largest health study undertaken in Goa. It will provide crucial evidence for healthcare policy, disease prevention, and better allocation of resources,” he said.
Officials noted that nearly three fourths of Goa’s disease burden stems from non communicable diseases. With pollution levels rising, work stress increasing, and food habits changing, the government hopes the study will provide insights into long term health risks.
The Goa Cancer Society had earlier demanded a comprehensive study on cancer incidence and causes. The new project is expected to fill that gap, offering detailed data on prevalence across regions, age groups, and dietary patterns.
Researchers will track how treatment affects patients over time, whether early intervention improves survival, and how chronic conditions progress. The findings are expected to guide preventive strategies and strengthen public health planning.
Sawant said the collaboration with Tata Memorial and Oxford would bring global expertise to Goa. “This study will not only benefit our State but also contribute to international research on ageing and non communicable diseases,” he added.
The project marks a significant step in Goa’s healthcare research and promises evidence based future policies to tackle the growing burden of lifestyle and other non-communicable diseases.
