Specialty Surgical Oncology Hospital (SSO), a chain of surgical cancer hospitals in Western India, has secured $2.8 million in funding from the Everhope Oncology platform, founded and backed by Narayana Health, W Health Ventures and 2070 Health. This investment marks a pivotal moment in SSO’s journey to expand delivery of specialised, affordable cancer care.
India faces nearly 2 million new cancer cases every year, one of the fastest-growing cancer burdens globally, with incidence projected to double by 2045. Against this backdrop, scalable, high-quality models of cancer care are urgently needed. SSO was founded in 2021 by a team of 7 cancer surgeons led by Dr Sanket Mehta, a Tata-trained cancer surgeon, to address critical gaps in cancer surgery, particularly the challenges driven by overcrowded hospitals, long waiting times and procedures often performed by general surgeons with limited access to advanced care.
SSO is pioneering organ-specific surgical teams that manage even complex cases in facilities dedicated solely to cancer surgeries. Since its inception, SSO has grown to five centres and a team of 20 surgeons, who have collectively performed over 20,000 complex oncology procedures.
“SSO Cancer Hospital began with a simple belief: geography or income should never decide a patient’s fate,” said Dr Sanket Mehta. “This partnership marks a defining moment for our team. It enables us to launch three new centres in Mumbai and invest deeply in clinical talent, advanced infrastructure and robust systems, so we can consistently deliver care at the highest possible standard.”
Dr Pankaj Jethwani, Managing Partner at W Health Ventures, said, “When physicians are trusted to shape care delivery, they go beyond just clinical excellence – they build systems that bridge gaps in patient care and drive meaningful outcomes. SSO’s approach is thoughtful and reflects that founders don’t just see themselves as clinicians but as institution builders. Healthcare models grounded in this level of expertise and intent from doctor-preneurs are exactly the ones that we want to help build and scale.”
Viren Shetty, Narayana Health’s executive vice-chairman, noted, “At Narayana Health we’ve learnt that when you design for the middle-income patient, you end up building the most resilient and scalable model of care. Over the next few decades, millions of Indians will live with cancer, and they will need access to high-quality surgery close to where they live, not just in a handful of big hospitals. SSO has applied that philosophy to cancer surgery with organ-specific teams across facilities, and we’re excited to back them through the Everhope platform as they take this model to many more cities across India.”
As SSO enters its next chapter, it remains anchored in its founding purpose – ensuring that no patient is left behind. With strong clinical leadership, aligned partners and committed capital, SSO is positioned to redefine the delivery of comprehensive cancer treatment at scale, expanding its presence across Western India, including Mumbai, Ahmedabad and major cities in Maharashtra and Gujarat.
About Specialty Surgical Oncology Hospital (SSO)
Specialty Surgical Oncology Hospital (SSO) is a chain of surgical cancer hospitals in Western India. Founded in 2021 by a team of 7 cancer surgeons led by Dr. Sanket Mehta and SSO is bridging the gap in access to advanced organ-specific cancer surgery.
About Everhope Oncology
Everhope Oncology is a diversified network of specialized patient-centric cancer facilities offering surgical and medical oncology, aiming to redefine the perception of cancer care in India. The model delivers high-quality care, from early detection to advanced treatment and follow-up care, closer to home. Everhope is a Joint Venture between W Health Ventures and Narayana Health.
About Narayana Health
Narayana Health Group is one of India’s largest healthcare providers, operating a comprehensive range of primary, secondary and super-specialty tertiary care facilities across India and the Caribbean. Narayana has a network of 21 hospitals and a team of 18,822 dedicated professionals, including 3,868 skilled doctors and specialists.
About W Health Ventures
W Health Ventures builds generational healthcare companies that reshape how care is delivered across India and the U.S. Its portfolio spans 12+ companies focused on AI-enabled healthcare solutions and innovative care delivery. This includes 2070 Health – a leading healthcare venture studio, Nivaan, Reveal, BabyMD, Everbright Health, Wysa, BeatO, and Mylo.
