BALCO’s Month-Long Initiative to Raise Cancer Awareness Empowers Local Communities
TFP Bureau, Korba; Nov 10, 2023: Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO), a prominent aluminium producer in India, recently launched an extensive effort to elevate awareness within local communities regarding the significance of early cancer detection. In collaboration with BALCO Medical Centre (BMC), the company orchestrated a series of interventions aimed at educating community members, particularly women, frontline workers, and teachers, throughout the month of October. This initiative was aligned with ‘Breast Cancer Awareness Month’ and ‘National Cancer Awareness Day’.
The endeavor was designed to harness the influence that women have on family health, the role of frontline workers in disseminating crucial health information, and the impactful position of teachers in shaping future generations. Focused on empowering these individuals with knowledge about cancer prevention and early detection, the initiative included webinar sessions and awareness talks to create a ripple effect in promoting a healthier society through awareness and preventive measures. Esteemed Cancer Specialists from BALCO Medical Centre (BMC), including Dr. Noopur Priya and Dr. Ajit Agarwal, led these sessions, discussing various prevalent types of cancers, causal factors, and available screening and treatment options.
Located in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, the BALCO Medical Centre is a state-of-the-art, 170-bed multi-modality diagnostic and therapeutic facility and has emerged as a national leader in India’s oncology space. Over the years, BMC has catered to the healthcare needs of over 33,000 patients, addressing the existing gaps in cancer treatment, awareness, infrastructure, and expertise.
The health awareness sessions organized by BMC aimed to educate women about the significance of early cancer detection, encouraging over 200 participants to undergo self-examinations and clinical screenings for breast and cervical cancer prevention. The sessions also facilitated discussions, advocating preventive measures, regular health check-ups, and the importance of seeking medical help. Stressing the importance of cancer awareness, Mr. Rajesh Kumar, CEO and Director of BALCO, emphasized the profound impact of early detection in successful treatment, reducing burdens on patients and their families.
In alignment with their commitment to cancer awareness, BALCO, in conjunction with the BALCO Medical Center, previously organized free cancer screening camps. These camps offered screenings for breast, cervical, and head & neck cancers, providing services like mammography, Pap smear tests, brush cytology, expert consultations, and general health check-ups within local communities.
