Tata Trusts launch Swasth Jharkhand, a free cancer screening kiosk at RIMS, Ranchi

Tata Trusts today announced the establishment of Swasth Jharkhand, a screening and awareness kiosk at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) Ranchi. The kiosk will be set up through Alamelu Charitable Foundation (ACF), the Trusts’ cancer initiative arm, and will offer free screening for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, and oral, breast and cervical cancers, along with a general health check-up for the caregivers and visitors of OPD and IPD patients. The beneficiaries will also receive health advice on various topics including lifestyle, nutrition, menstrual health, and maternal and child health.

The kiosk was inaugurated by Sh. Banna Gupta, Honourable Health Minister of Jharkhand, in the presence of senior officials from the Jharkhand government, RIMS, and the ACF management team.

During the inauguration, Sh. Banna Gupta stated, “The number of patients presenting with respiratory disorders, cardiovascular problems and lifestyle related cancers like oral, breast, cervix and lungs are increasing in the state. Concerted efforts are needed in increasing awareness levels of people and propagating regular screening. Generally, the symptoms of NCDs do not surface for a period of time, and people suffering from them may be unaware of their condition. Early detection will also aid in the prognosis of NCDs. The awareness services will make people more cognizant of behavioural and biological risk factors like use of tobacco and alcohol, physical inactivity, obesity, increased fat and salt intake, etc.”

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), NCDs account for 48% of the overall disease burden in Jharkhand, and the percentage of mortality due to NCDs begins to increase from the age of 30. The kiosk is expected to serve an average of 50-80 people on a daily basis.

Tobacco consumption is a significant risk factor for NCDs, including many cancers. As per the GATS 2 survey, 40% of people in Jharkhand (60% men and 17% women) consume tobacco in some form. Awareness sessions will be conducted on the harmful effects of tobacco, and beneficiaries will also be taught to recognise the signs oral cancer on their own.

“ACF began setting up the Swasth Kiosks in the beginning of this year in Assam. Four kiosks have been functional in medical college hospitals in Guwahati, Barpeta, Tezpur and Dibrugrah in Assam and one in Chandrapur, Maharashtra, and the response has been very encouraging and effective. This inspired us to reach out to medical colleges in our focus states including Jharkhand. We are looking forward to serving the people of the state through Swasth Jharkhand. With early detection of NCDs, and easily identifiable cancers, it’s possible to treat patients, save lives, reduce treatment related expenses and improve quality of life,” shared Dr. Sanjiv Chopra, Chief Executive, Cancer Care Programme, Tata Trusts.

The state of Jharkhand has a high incidence rate of cancer at 70 people per one lakh with a high death rate of 70%. The primary cancers are oral, lung and stomach cancers among men, and breast, cervix and stomach cancers among women. Most of these cancers can be easily detected through regular and timely screenings.

The Swasth Kiosks are being set up in the most visited areas of medical college hospitals, allowing maximum visitors and caregivers of patients to benefit from the free screening services. More such kiosks are underway in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh; Bhubaneshwar, Orissa; and Diphu and Silchar, Assam.

Ranchi Cancer Care Foundation (RCCF), a joint initiative of the Government of Jharkhand and Tata Trusts, has already been established with the aim of bringing quality cancer care screening and treatment facilities closer to the people of the state. The Trusts have also signed an MoU with the state’s National Health Mission for the strengthening and capacity building of the NCD screening and early detection programme within Jharkhand.