- Health screening and awareness services to be provided to patient caregivers & visitors
- Services to be provided free of cost
Ranchi, December 14th, 2020: Tata Trusts today announced the setting up of Swasth Jharkhand, a Screening and Awareness Kiosk at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, (RIMS), Ranchi. The kiosk will be set up through the Trusts’ cancer initiative arm – Alamelu Charitable Foundation (ACF), and will offer free of cost services including screening for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): diabetes, hypertension, and oral, breast and cervical cancers, along with a general health check-up to caregivers and visitors of OPD and IPD patients. The beneficiaries will also be offered health advisory services on lifestyle, nutrition, menstrual health, maternal and child health, and varied health-related topics in an easy to understand manner.
The kiosk was inaugurated by Sh. Banna Gupta, Honourable Health Minister, Jharkhand; in the presence of senior officials from Jharkhand government, RIMS and members of ACF management team.
While inaugurating the kiosk, Sh. Banna Gupta, Honourable Health Minister, Jharkhand, said “The number of patients presenting with respiratory disorders, cardiovascular problems and lifestyle related cancers like oral, breast, cervix and lungs are increasing in the state. Concerted efforts are needed in increasing awareness levels of people and propagating regular screening. Generally the symptoms of NCDs do not surface for a period of time, and people suffering from them may be unaware of their condition. Early detection will also lead in prognosis of NCDs. The awareness services will make people more cognizant towards behavioural and biological risk factors like use of tobacco and alcohol, physical inactivity, overweight and obesity, increased fat and salt intake etc.”
According to ICMR, NCDs form 48% of overall disease burden of the state and the percentage of mortality due to NCDs start to increase from the age of 30. The kiosk is expected to cater to an average of 50-80 people on a daily basis.
Tobacco consumption is one of the key risk factors for NCDs, including in many cancers. As per GATS 2 survey, 40% of people in Jharkhand (60% men and 17% women) consume tobacco in some form (smoked / smokeless). Awareness sessions will be conducted on harmful effects of tobacco and beneficiaries will also be taught about self-detection of oral cancer.
“ACF began setting up ‘Swasth Kiosks’ in the beginning of this year in Assam. Four kiosks have been functional in Medical College Hospitals in Guwahati, Barpeta, Tezpur and Dibrugrah in Assam and one in Chandrapur, Maharashtra, and the response has been very encouraging and effective. This inspired us to reach-out to Medical Colleges in our focus states including Jharkhand. We are looking forward to serve the people of the state through ‘Swasth Jharkhand.’ With early detection of NCDs, and easily identifiable cancers, it’s possible to treat patients, save lives, reduce treatment related expenses and improve quality of life,” shared Dr. Sanjiv Chopra, Chief Executive, Cancer Care Programme, Tata Trusts.
The state has a high incidence rate and death rate of cancer, at 70 people per one lakh and at 70% in patients, respectively. Oral, lung and stomach cancers are the primary cancers amongst men; and breast, cervix and stomach among women. Most of these cancers can be easily detected with regular and timely screenings.
The ‘Swasth Kiosks’ are being set-up in the heavy footfall areas of Medical College Hospitals, leading to maximum visitors and caregivers of patients benefitting from the services. More such kiosks are underway in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh; Bhubaneshwar, Orissa; and Diphu and Silchar, Assam.
Ranchi Cancer Care Foundation (RCCF), an initiative of the Government of Jharkhand and Tata Trusts, has already been set up with a view to help bring quality cancer care screening and treatment facilities closer to the people of the State. The Trusts has also signed an MoU with state NHM for strengthening and capacity building of the NCD screening and early detection programme within Jharkhand.
Since inception in 1892, Tata Trusts, India’s oldest philanthropic organisation, has played a pioneering role in bringing about an enduring difference in the lives of the communities it serves. Guided by the principles and the vision of proactive philanthropy of the Founder, Jamsetji Tata, the Trusts’ purpose is to catalyse development in the areas of health, nutrition, education, water, sanitation and hygiene, livelihood, digital transformation, migration and urban habitat, social justice and inclusion, environment and energy, skill development, sports, and arts and culture. The Trusts’ programmes, achieved through direct implementation, partnerships and grant making, are marked by innovations, relevant to the country. For more information, please visit
