TATA CANCER CARE FOUNDATION BRINGS FIRST-EVER MULTI-NCD SCREENING CAMP TO RANTALODHI VILLAGE

In a concerted effort to bridge critical gaps in healthcare access and deliver compassionate care to remote populations, Tata Cancer Care Foundation, in partnership with Pfizer and the District Health Department, organised a comprehensive multi-NCD (Non-Communicable Diseases) screening camp in Rantalodhi village on June 12, 2026.
Situated deep within the core area of the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, Rantalodhi stands as one of the few remaining inhabited villages located inside the tiger habitat. With the nearest health facility situated nearly 50 kilometres away and public transportation severely constrained, accessing basic and preventative medical care remains a significant challenge for the local community.
Driven by extensive door-to-door mobilisation by local health workers and the outreach team, the camp achieved immediate clinical impact across the community:

• 52 beneficiaries were screened for Oral, Breast, and Cervical Cancers.
• 30 individuals underwent oral cancer screening, with many receiving such diagnostic evaluations for the first time in their lives.
• 2 precancerous oral lesions were identified and promptly referred for higher-level clinical follow-up and management.
• Personalised tobacco cessation counselling was provided to tobacco users to support long-term disease prevention.
• Educational awareness sessions were conducted, empowering community members with critical information on breast and cervical cancer, the importance of HPV vaccination, and guidance on performing breast self-examinations.

Beyond providing direct clinical services, the initiative served as an important platform to highlight the systemic healthcare challenges faced by remote forest-dwelling communities. Primary among these are a heavy dependence on informal healthcare providers and severely restricted access to qualified medical professionals and structured health systems.

More than an isolated screening drive, this landmark initiative represented a meaningful step toward strengthening rural healthcare infrastructure, fostering health literacy, and advancing equitable care. By bringing specialised services to the deep forest canopy, Tata Cancer Care Foundation and its partners reaffirmed their shared commitment to ensuring that even the most remote and underserved communities are not left behind in the fight against cancer and non-communicable diseases.