Kozhikode: Aster MIMSKozhikode in association with Dr Moopen’s Foundation, PerumannaGrama Panchayat and Pratheeksha is organizing early cancer detection screening camps at PerumannaGrama Panchayat. To provide opportunity for the residents of the Panchayat to benefit from the camp, three camps at three different areas of the Panchayat are organized. The camps will be organized at Perumanpura, Puthurmadam, and Payyadimeethal on 29, 30 &31 July respectively.
The camps will be inaugurated by the District Panchayat President BabuParaserry in the presence of Ms. K. Ajitha, President, PerumannaGrama Panchayat,Dr. Rahul Menon, CEO, Aster MIMS, Dr NarayananKuttyWarrier, Chief Oncologist, Aster MIMS, Ms GracyMathai, Chief Quality Consultant, Aster Medcity, Mr.LatheefKasim, Manager, Dr.Moopen’s Foundation- India, Mr.Balan Nair N. V., Vice President, PerumannaGrama Panchayat and office bearers of ‘Pratheeksha’. The inauguration of the camps will take place at ‘PerumanpuraVyavasayaKendram’ on 29th July at 9 am.
Dr NarayananKuttyWarrier, Chief Oncologist, Aster MIMS said, “Studies have shown that every year 30,000 new cancer patients are coming to the hospitals in Kerala.Cancer if detected early has a greater chance of being treated successfully. But many people do not have the access while some do not go in for a check-up due to the cost and ignorance. Early Cancer Detection project inPerumannaGrama Panchayat is an attempt to address this alarming situation.”
A lot of planning and preparation has gone into the implementation of this project, so that the people PerumannaGrama Panchayat can get maximum benefit. Physically testing all the people of the Panchayat was not practical. To make the programme more effective and ensure that it benefits those who need it the most, data was collected from the 32,000 residents of PerumannaGrama Panchayat through a structured 2 phase scientific questionnaire. Out of 32,000 person’s data, 1250 residents were identified as being at a high risk of developing cancer.
The high risk patients identified through the initial phase of the questionnaires will be invited to the cancer detection camps for detailed screening. The camp participants with symptoms of the diseases will be invited to Aster MIMS for detailed diagnosis at free of cost for the BPL members and at 50% reduced rates for the APL category.
Dr. Rahul Menon, CEO, Aster MIMS said, ‘At Aster MIMS, we have always focused on the preventive and diagnostic aspects of healthcare and early detection of cancer is an important tool in the fight against this dreaded disease. This initiative is part of our rural community intervention program that works with the community to create awareness and diagnose cancer early through camps in areas where facilities for screening are limited.”