Medica Group of Hospitals, the largest private healthcare network in Eastern India, and Rotary, one of the largest service organizations in the world making positive impact across the nations, have come together, to make a noteworthy collaboration on National Doctors’ Day. Medica Superspecialty Hospital and Rotary District 3291 have launched a joint initiative devoted to awareness and screening of cervical and paediatric cancer. Aimed at reaching out to underserved societies in West Bengal, this trailblazing initiative will have as its main objective to offer indispensable assistance and healthcare services. On this occasion, the Guest of Honour, Dr. Krishnendu Gupta, the new District Governor of Rotary District 3291 and Professor & Unit Head, Dept of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Vivekananda Institute of Medical Sciences, representing over 150 Rotary clubs in Kolkata, attended the event along with Prof. (Dr.) Subir Ganguly, Senior Consultant, Advisor, Radiation Oncology, Dr. Sourav Datta, Senior Consultant & Director Medica Oncology, Dr. Arunava Roy, Senior Consultant & Head (Gynecologic Oncology & Women Cancer Initiative), Dr. Sayan Das, Senior Consultant & Head (Radiation Oncology), Dr. Harsh Dhar, Head, Consultant of Head Neck Cancer Surgery, Skull Base Oncosurgery, Dr. Abhay Kumar, Head, Urology, Uro-Oncosurgery & Robotic Surgery Specialist, Mr. R. Udayan Lahiry, Managing Director, Medica Group of Hospitals, and Mr. Ayanabh DebGupta, Jt. Managing Director, Medica Group of Hospitals.

Medica and Rotary are committed to enhancing public health through their services and programs, and this initiative is a step in that direction. Recognizing the doctor’s contributions to oncology, Medica Superspecialty Hospital and Rotary dignitaries honoured Medica Oncology’s distinguished specialists—Dr. Arunava Roy, Dr. Abhay Kumar, Dr. Harsh Dhar, Dr. Sudeep Das, and Dr. Sayan Das. These doctors have been instrumental in advancing oncology care and deserves to be celebrated for their dedication and services to the field.

Dr. Krishnendu Gupta, District Governor, Rotary District 3291 stated, “This year our primary focus area is cervical cancer prevention and screening. Like Polio eradication incoming three years our prime areas are Cervical cancer prevention and screening. Thalassemia awareness and screening. In this regard we want to eradicate cervical cancer screening jointly with Medica hospital and save our community. Rotary has a long-standing commitment to addressing critical health issues, and this initiative with Medica Oncology team shows our dedication to making a tangible difference. With over 150 Rotary clubs in Kolkata and the surrounding areas, our reach extends deep into the communities that need it most. By leveraging the expertise of Medica’s distinguished oncologists, we aim to significantly impact the early detection and treatment of cervical cancer, a disease that, according to recent data, affects over 3 lakh women annually in India. Additionally, more than 50,000 children are detected with cancer (registered cases only) every year, through our Life Beyond Cancer (for our young heroes) initiative we support many underprivileged families who hesitate to initiate treatment due to the perceived high cost. To bridge this gap, we provide financial assistance for the initial treatment phase through a crowdfunding corpus fund. With Medica by our side, we will try and ensure that no child is denied treatment. Together, we aim to provide essential guidance to ensure comprehensive cancer care is accessible to all, thereby improving public health outcomes across West Bengal.”

Prof. (Dr.) Subir Ganguly, Senior Consultant and Advisor in Radiation Oncology, emphasized, “Our goal through this joint initiative is to narrow the existing disparities in reaching vital screening services which would lead to significant improvement in prognosis for women across our region. Cervical cancer, accounting for 6-29% of cases, is steadily increasing, impacting both rural and urban communities in developing countries. Understanding the urgency and the need to bridge this healthcare gap, Medica’s Oncology team has been taking proactive steps in the districts. Our commitment goes beyond Kolkata or metropolitan cities; we recognize that the density of cancer or the potential for timely detection is higher in semi-urban and rural areas due to lack of awareness and persistent social taboos. We firmly believe that cancer knows no boundaries, and our efforts aim to ensure that quality healthcare reaches every corner. We are looking for appropriate and competent partner to work in a collaborative manner. We would work hard to ensure that all areas related to cervical cancer are investigated from the medical point of view. This action strives for nothing less than making sure that everybody who requires adequate facilities or important medical procedures gets them. For paediatric cancer patients we will be working closely to support underprivileged families who cannot afford cancer treatment for their children in Kolkata with support from philanthropic organizations.”

Emphasizing the hospital’s outreach efforts to ensure accessible cancer care services, Dr. Sourav Datta, Director, Medica Oncology & Senior Consultant, Head and Neck Oncosurgery, opined, “There has been a momentous shift in cancer treatment and Kolkata is at par with any world’s biggest and developed cities in providing superior treatment. Medica has taken one of the leading roles with organ specific cancer surgery, best-in-class technology for detection and treatment of cancer with the support of best doctors. Our association with Rotary will further help mobilize our resources in districts and reach the last mile population. We aim to maximize our reach to ensure every screening is done for cervical cancer and come forward to help the paediatric patients with utmost care at our hospital.”

Mr. R. Udayan Lahiry, Managing Director, Medica Group of Hospitals stated, “Medica Oncology has always aimed at propagating cancer care in rural and semi-urban areas of  Bengal as the incidence of cancer is increasing with each day. Each year, around 10 million people die of cancer, and this is more than HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis combined. Our cervical cancer screening camps in Medinipore, Hooghly, Murshidabad, Nadia, and Birbhum will seek to raise awareness about the prevention and early diagnosis of cancer, working hand in hand with Rotary and other local bodies.”

Mr. Ayanabh Debgupta, Joint Managing Director, Medica Group of Hospitals, remarked, “It is our responsibility to connect with the communities in the districts and bridge the care gap. With 500 cancer beds distributed throughout Kolkata, Siliguri, and Ranchi, our Oncology team are doing regular screening camps and awareness session so that more and more people get sensitized about cancer.”