Project SHAKTHI
Global Grant Project by RCME
Cancer is rapidly emerging as a matter of public health concern in India, and in the city of Chennai. Out of the new cancer cases registered in India (610,084 cases), 319,098 (52.4%) were reported in males, and 290,986 (47.6%) in females. However, in Tamil Nadu the Crude Incidence Rate (CIR) of all cancers per 1,00,000 population was 93.9 among women compared to 74.4 in men, said TNCRP data, which covered the entire TN population of 80 million. A total of 65,590 cancer cases were diagnosed in 2016 in TN and estimated cancer burden in 2020 was 78,641. Common cancers among women in Tamil Nadu: Breast (CIR: 25.5), Cervix (18.7), Ovary (5.2), Large bowel (3.9) and Corpus uteri (3.7). The age standardised rate (ASR) of female breast cancer observed in Chennai (44.6 per 100,000 women) was the second highest in India.
RCME, under the auspices of the Project Shakthi, an RID 3232 initiative to combat the alarming rise in cancer in women, would like to donate an X Ray Mammography system, and the appropriate training Voluntary Health Services at Taramani in Chennai. This will enable VHS to leverage their existing infrastructure and their trained personnel to provide screening for breast cancer for women.
VHS is situated in a central location in Chennai where the women in all the surrounding catchment areas can utilize this service. VHS has pioneered health services for the poor and the marginalized in Chennai for over 60 years. VHS offers affordable medical care services to people belonging to poorer backgrounds and low income groups based on their health care needs rather than their ability to pay. VHS approaches health care from a holistic perspective laying emphasis on disease prevention, health promotion, fostering and serving the family as a unit, actively promoting community participation and providing affordable care.
RCME has worked on Global Grants projects with VHS in the past and have successful collaborative initiatives that have been long term and sustaining. For more information on VHS visit www.vhschennai.org Global Grant Scheme of the Rotary Foundation (TRF)
A team from RCME has visited the management team at VHS and has made an assessment of their facilities and requirements. There is a huge need for cancer screening in women which has been recognized by the management and they have the required infrastructure with huge footfalls seem to be the ideal locations to implement regular cancer screening for women from marginalised backgrounds.
Immediate Impact – 10,000 Women
Approximate Annual Budget – Rs.1,00,00,000/- (Rs.10 million)
