ECHO India, a non-profit organisation that is transforming capacity-building in healthcare, education and livelihood which has provided support for the introduction of a collaborative effort by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the Government of Karnataka. This effort is called ”Accelerating Cervical Cancer Elimination: The Karnataka Movement” and involves partnerships with various non-governmental organisations and private healthcare institutions. The primary goal of this initiative is to eradicate cervical cancer in the state.
The event took place at Karnataka Vikasa Soudha in Bengaluru, Dinesh Gundu Rao the Minister of Health & Family Welfare was present to deliver the opening speech. “Our government is dedicated to making cervical cancer prevention, screening and treatment accessibility to every woman, ensuring early detection and timely intervention to save lives,” he stated. Other key dignitaries were also present during the event.
Dr. Divakar who is the Director of FIGO Division and a former President of FOGSI mentioned that, “In addition to countrywide efforts, there is a need for continued vigilance, awareness, and collaborative action to reduce the burden of cervical cancer. The Karnataka movement encompasses key implementation strategies that will empower girls and women to lead healthier lives. We will connect and collaborate with the national and global consortium, and Karnataka, with the support of the ob-gyn association, will set the foundation for other states to adopt this movement.”
Dr Raj Shankar Ghosh one of the founding members of QEI presented the Cervical Cancer Elimination India (CCEC-I) initiative. Its goal is to do enhancing vaccination, screening and treatment in alignment with the WHO’s 90-70-90 strategy. Dr Alexander Thomas the Founder & Patron of AHPI and Chairperson of HSCC Karnataka, emphasised the efforts of the Karnataka consortium in collaborating with organisations such as ECHO India, Swasti, PHFI and JHPIEGO to enhance the capabilities of healthcare professionals in preventing and managing cervical cancer.
Dr. Vishal Rao who is the Chief of Head & Neck Surgical Oncology & Robotic Surgery at HCG Cancer Centre, stated that the Karnataka movement will adhere closely to important WHO guidelines during its execution in order to guarantee a broad along with an impactful outcome.
“While the government is making significant progress in screening and capacity building for cervical cancer, it is crucial to prioritise the immunisation of young girls to ensure a healthier future for our communities,” said Dr H Sudarshan a renowned social entrepreneur and Trustee of ECHO India.
Dr Sudarshan asks that the Government add immunisation for cervical cancer to their priority list. “ECHO India is committed to empowering young girls by taking the lead in working towards programs on vaccination, helping control this entirely preventable disease.”
Dr Sandeep Bhalla Vice President of ECHO India emphasised the initiative to enhance the skills of nurses in identifying and preventing cervical cancer. The program has been introduced in collaboration with state nursing councils and academic institutions in eight states including Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Sikkim, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Delhi, Gujarat, and Goa.
Dr Bhalla added that the ECHO India were dedicated to backing the Karnataka initiative in the fight against cervical cancer. These efforts are particularly crucial in marginalised regions, where there is a lack of knowledge along with limited access leads to a higher incidence of cervical cancer.