The Government of Telangana has announced a large-scale preventive health initiative to screen 46 lakh women belonging to Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across the state beginning March 8, coinciding with International Women’s Day. The programme aims to strengthen early detection and preventive healthcare services for women at the community level.

The statewide screening campaign will be conducted through the public healthcare network and community outreach programmes, targeting women associated with SHGs under rural and urban livelihood missions. Health officials stated that the initiative will focus on identifying key health conditions including anaemia, hypertension, diabetes, and potential early indicators of serious diseases such as Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer.

The screenings will be carried out at government health facilities including primary health centres, community health centres, and district hospitals, supported by frontline health workers and local self-help group networks. Authorities noted that the programme is designed not only to detect diseases early but also to promote health awareness, nutrition counselling, and timely referrals for specialised treatment when necessary.

Officials from the state health department highlighted that women in SHGs represent one of the largest organised community networks in the state, making them an effective channel for delivering preventive healthcare services at scale. By leveraging this grassroots structure, the government aims to improve health outcomes while increasing awareness about lifestyle diseases and women’s health issues.

The initiative is expected to significantly strengthen the state’s preventive healthcare ecosystem by integrating community engagement with institutional medical support. Health experts have emphasised that such large-scale screening programmes are essential for reducing long-term disease burden and ensuring early diagnosis, particularly for conditions that often remain undetected until advanced stages.

The campaign marks one of the largest community-driven women’s health screening efforts undertaken in the region and reflects Telangana’s continued focus on preventive care and public health outreach.