In a major step towards improving rural healthcare and strengthening early cancer detection in Odisha, Tata Steel Foundation, in collaboration with the Jamshedpur Cancer Society through its hospital Meherbai Tata Memorial Hospital, has launched a comprehensive Mobile Cancer Screening Initiative in Dhenkanal district. The initiative brings much-needed relief to underserved and remote communities by taking essential cancer screening services directly to their doorsteps. The Mobile Cancer Screening Unit was formally flagged off by Dr Sanjay Kumar Mohapatra, Chief District Medical Officer of Dhenkanal, at the District Headquarters Hospital, marking the beginning of a long-term public health programme focused on prevention, early diagnosis, and timely treatment support.

The launch event was attended by hospital managers Dr Ranjan Kumar Samal and Binayak Panigrahi, representatives from Tata Steel Foundation, and members of the Meherbai Tata Memorial Hospital mobile screening team. A live demonstration of the screening procedures was conducted by Dr Prachi Singh, Medical Officer from the Medical Oncology Team at MTMH, highlighting how the mobile unit will operate in rural and semi-urban areas to identify cancer cases at an early stage.

Scheduled to run from January 2026 to March 2028, the initiative aims to bridge critical gaps in cancer care delivery by offering end-to-end services, starting from community awareness and screening to diagnosis, referral, and treatment support. The programme will primarily focus on the early detection of oral, breast, and cervical cancers, which account for a significant burden of cancer cases in India. By enabling regular screening and promoting awareness, the initiative seeks to improve survival rates and reduce the long-term impact of the disease.

Under the programme, the mobile unit will conduct monthly cancer screening camps across different blocks of Dhenkanal district. These camps will be supported by structured awareness sessions to educate communities about cancer risk factors, early warning signs, preventive measures, and the importance of routine health check-ups. To strengthen grassroots-level healthcare delivery, MTMH-trained master trainers will provide capacity-building support to ASHA workers and frontline health staff, empowering them to play a crucial role in early identification, counselling, and referral of suspected cases.

Patients who require further medical evaluation or treatment will be referred to Meherbai Tata Memorial Hospital and assisted in navigating the healthcare system, including support for accessing relevant government health schemes. Through this integrated approach, Tata Steel Foundation and Jamshedpur Cancer Society aim to create a sustainable model of community-based cancer care that improves health outcomes, raises awareness, and ensures that quality cancer screening and support services reach those who need them the most in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district.