Tamil Nadu: Karkinos Healthcare a purpose driven technology-led oncology platform in an impactful collaboration with the Integrated Village Development Project (IVDP), has concluded a groundbreaking series of cancer screening camps, marking a pivotal moment in the fight against cancer in underserved regions, held at the IVDP SHG Industrial Training Centre nestled within the SIDCO Industrial Estate, Gandhi Nagar, Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu. These camps witnessed an inspiring turnout of women from rural areas engaged in various small businesses such as tea shops, tailoring shops, and catering ventures.

The demographic footprint of participants spanned across 16,000 self-help groups under the IVDP, originating from four districts and clustered into 82 distinct units. Over a span of 14 meticulously organized camps, conducted from November 12, 2022, to February 13-14, 2024, a staggering 10,738 registrations were tallied, with 10,101 individuals undergoing crucial HPV screening. Notably, the latest camp held on February 13-14, 2024, recorded 456 registrations, and collected 456 cervical samples for HPV testing, marking yet another milestone in this transformative journey.

 Dr. R. Sankaranarayanan, Director of Preventive Oncology at Karkinos Healthcare emphasized the profound impact of community-focused healthcare interventions in the battle against cancer. “Initiatives such as the IVDP camps underscore the critical importance of community-focused healthcare interventions in combating cancer. By reaching out to underserved populations and offering comprehensive screenings, we not only detect cancer at its earliest stages but also empower individuals with knowledge and resources for effective prevention and treatment. Collaborating with organizations like IVDP amplifies our impact, ensuring that no one is left behind in the fight against cancer. Together, we strive to make a tangible difference in the lives of those most vulnerable to this disease.”

Led by Mr. Kulandei Francis, President of IVDP and recipient of the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award, this initiative aimed to provide early detection and intervention for cervical cancer for their women members. Impressively, the screening efforts identified HPV-positive cases in approximately 10% of participants, who were promptly referred and treated through colposcopy and thermal ablation procedures.

The success of these camps was driven by the unwavering dedication of medical professionals including Dr. Malini Chandrasekharan, Dr. Devu Prakash, and Dr. Ambujam Narayana. Nurses Padma Geetha and Devi Palanisamy played a pivotal role in conducting HPV tests assisted by Sis Anna Mary, while Nursing Manager Deepa Nair and Sister Kanchana Ponnusamy provided crucial support in field clinic operations, awareness campaigns, and complete data management done by Binson J Kennedy, Nagendran, Chinmayi, Milan Torasker and programme managed by Easwar S S.

The partnership between Karkinos Healthcare and IVDP stands as a beacon of hope, exemplifying the transformative power of collaborative efforts in revolutionizing healthcare delivery to the most vulnerable corners of society. As we celebrate these remarkable achievements, we reaffirm our commitment to leaving no stone unturned in the pursuit of a world where cancer is no longer a threat to anyone’s well-being.