Kasturba Hospital Unveils ‘Well Women Program’
This initiative aims to provide free breast and cervical cancer screening, along with comprehensive health awareness, specifically targeting underprivileged women in the community.
Manipal, Nov 21, 2023: Kasturba Hospital in Manipal has initiated the Well Women Program, a collaborative effort between Kasturba Medical College & Hospital, Manipal, and Manipal Foundation.
This program, inaugurated by Harinarayan Sharma, CEO of Manipal Foundation, aims to provide free breast and cervical cancer screening, coupled with comprehensive health awareness. The initiative specifically targets underprivileged women in the community and is conducted in association with the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Department of Community Medicine, and the Centre for Community Oncology.
Harinarayan Sharma expressed the foundation’s commitment to advancing women’s health, emphasizing that early detection of breast and cervical cancers is crucial for better treatment responses and cure rates. The program aims to screen underprivileged women in the Udupi district, with the goal of reaching all eligible women in the region.
During the launch, Dr. Padmaraj Hegde, Dean of KMC Manipal, unveiled the Breast Cancer information brochure, while Dr. Anand Venugopal, COO of Teaching Hospital, MAHE, Manipal, released the Cervical Cancer information brochure. The event was attended by Dr. Avinash Shetty, Medical Superintendent of Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, Dr. Shripad Hebbar, Head of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, and Dr. Ashwini Kumar, Head of the Department of Community Medicine.
Dr. Naveen S Salins, Associate Dean of KMC Manipal and Coordinator of Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Care Centre, provided an overview of the Well Women program, highlighting its importance. Dr. Shyamala G, Professor in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts behind this health initiative. Dr. Ranjitha S Shetty, Additional Professor in the Department of Community Medicine and Coordinator, Centre for Community Oncology, extended thanks to all involved in promoting women’s health.
The Well Women Program includes a range of services such as haemoglobin and blood sugar tests, as well as breast and cervical cancer screenings using handheld devices for immediate results. Organizers anticipate that this comprehensive health screening activity will significantly impact the early detection and prevention of breast and cervical cancer among underprivileged women in the region.
As part of the Well Women Program, women aged 30-55 from underprivileged sections will be screened for breast and cervical cancer. Positive findings will be referred to Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, through the established cancer care pathway of KMC, Manipal.
These services will be available at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, Dr TMA Pai Hospital, Udupi, Dr TMA PAI Rotary Hospital, Karkala, and various community settings within Udupi district. For more information, interested individuals are encouraged to call 0820 2923748.
