Page 78 - TT-TCCF_Annual_Report

IMPACT STORIES

Numerous success stories have emerged since the inception of the programme up to the present day. Here are a few notable

Mr. Pravin Shankar Chandekar, aged 52, sought assistance in July 2022 after experiencing a mouth ulcer. He
attended a specialised awareness and screening camp on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) organised by the
outreach team in Chandrapur. Following counselling and oral cancer screening conducted by our dentist, Mr.
Chandekar was identified as a suspected case and advised to seek further evaluation at the referral hospital. Our
Patient Navigator (PN) supported him throughout this process, ensuring continuous counselling and follow-up.
Despite initial reluctance, Mr. Chandekar underwent various diagnostic tests, leading to a recommendation for
operative management by an oncologist at the National Cancer Institute in Nagpur. With the PN's guidance, he
successfully enrolled in the MJPJY government health scheme and navigated hospital procedures smoothly,
undergoing a successful surgery followed by 30 sessions of radiation therapy. The PN continues to provide
ongoing support, exemplifying the gratification derived from assisting patients like Mr. Chandekar.

Ms. Maheshwari Devi, aged 45 and hailing from Hazaribag, Jharkhand, presented herself at the kiosk of RIMS
Hospital on July 6, 2022, complaining of bleeding during intercourse, lower abdominal pain, and a foul-smelling
thick white discharge. Following examination by our nurse, she was diagnosed as VIA positive. Subsequently, our
Patient Navigator arranged for her to see a gynecologist, who recommended a Pap smear. The results indicated a
high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, leading to a biopsy confirming cancer on August 11, 2022. Despite
initial reluctance, with the support and counselling provided by the Patient Navigator to both Ms. Devi and her
family, treatment commenced, culminating in surgery on September 13, 2022, followed by two sessions of
radiotherapy. Presently, after over a year has elapsed, Ms. Devi's condition has significantly improved

In Jharkhand, our Cancer Care Outreach team has partnered with the NTCP cell in Ranchi district for various tobacco control and awareness
activities, including the implementation of Tobacco Free Educational Institutions. Through our ongoing support, in the last three years 258 schools
have proclaimed themselves Tobacco-free, with 62 schools adopting this status in the last financial year (2022-23) alone.