Kalinganagar: Tata Steel Foundation, in collaboration with Jamshedpur Cancer Society (JCS) through its hospital, Meherbai Tata Memorial Hospital (MTMH), launched a comprehensive Mobile Cancer Screening initiative aimed at improving access to early cancer detection and treatment for underserved rura communities at Danagadi and Sukinda, Kalinganagar, Odisha.The initiative was launched at Primary Health Centre, Jakhapura, Danagadi Block on Monday.
The inaugural session was attended by Dr Amulya Kumar Nayak, Medical Officer, Jakhapura PHC and Debanjan Mukharjee Head, Kalinganagar Impact Cluster, TSF along with other senior officials of PHC and TSF.
The project will run till March 31, 2028 and will provide end-to-end cancer care solutions, covering community awareness, screening, confirmatory diagnosis, and linkage to definitive treatment. The programme will focus on oral, breast, and cervical cancers, which account for a significant burden of preventable cancer-related morbidity and mortality in India.
The camp will run five days a week and is expected to screen up to 90 mammograms, 65 PAP smears, and 135 oral cancer cases per camp. In addition to screenings, cancer awareness and primary prevention sessions will be conducted to educate communities on risk factors, early symptoms, and the importance of timely medical intervention.
A key pillar of the initiative is capacity building of local healthcare professionals. Master trainers will be trained at MTMH, who will subsequently train ASHA workers and frontline health staff, strengthening grassroots-evel screening and referral mechanisms. Community mobilisation will be supported by the Foundation, in coordination with the Block and District Health Offices, ensuring alignment with public health systems.
Individuals with positive screening results will be referred to MTMH for confirmatory diagnostics, and diagnosed patients will be supported in accessing appropriate treatment, including linkage to Government health schemes wherever applicable.By decentralizing cancer screening and strengthening referral pathways, this initiative aims to bridge critical gaps in cancer care, enhance awareness, promote early diagnosis, establish Rural Cancer Registry and ultimately improve health outcomes for rural and vulnerable populations at Kalinganagar area.
