In this episode of On Coffee, Vahe Grigoryan, Editorial Director of OncoDaily, speaks with Dr. Vivek Ghosh, a clinical oncologist from Nepal specializing in radiation oncology. They discuss his journey from Nepal to India and Canada, his training at All India Institute of Medical Sciences and Cancer Care Manitoba, and his decision to return home to serve patients in Nepal.
We dive into the differences between cancer care in high- and low-resource settings, what healthcare systems can learn from each other, and why more technology does not always mean better oncology. Vivek also shares his experience with cancer treatment affordability in Nepal, including findings from his ASCO 2026 research on the cost of standard cancer therapies and the challenges of providing optimal care when treatments are financially out of reach.
The conversation also explores cancer care during disasters, unequal access to oncology services across Nepal, the importance of decentralizing cancer care, digital medical records, and how international training can be adapted—not simply copied—to local needs.
And yes, there’s coffee, plenty of tea, stories from Nepal, India, and Canada, reflections on returning home, and a heartfelt conversation about Vivek’s mentors and the lesson that comes first: be a good human being, then a good doctor, and then a good oncologist.