Watson’s cognitive computing platform will help physicians identify options for individualised, evidence-based cancer care across India
IBM announced that Manipal Hospitals’ corporate and teaching facilities will adopt Watson for oncology, a cognitive computing platform trained by Memorial Sloan-Kettering that analyses data to identify evidence-based treatment options, helping oncologists to provide cancer patients with individualised healthcare. This will be the first deployment of Watson in India and the first engagement of its kind as the country advances efforts to transform healthcare.
Watson has the ability to read and understand natural language. Watson for Oncology was developed by IBM in concert with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), one of the world’s leading cancer centers. Reportedly, to date, Watson for Oncology has ingested nearly 15 million pages of medical content, including more than 200 medical textbooks and 300 medical journals.
Elaborating on the benefits, Dr Ajay Bakshi, MD & CEO of Manipal Hospitals added, “Watson for Oncology will assist Manipal’s physicians in their goal to provide every cancer patient the most advanced, efficacious and cost effective treatment if they are seen by a Manipal oncologist anywhere in the Manipal network.”
“We are honoured Manipal Hospitals chose IBM to support its mission to advance health across India, and to add the esteemed organisation to a growing community of hospitals and research institutes around the world, including Bumrungrad International Hospital, using Watson to transform cancer care,” said Deborah DiSanzo, GM, IBM Watson Health.