Health Camp Focused on Comprehensive Cancer Awareness
On 23rd March 2025, SEEDS co-sponsored a health camp focused on comprehensive cancer awareness and palliative care. The camp was held at Sambhav Foundation, Rohibanka, Odagaon, Nayagarh district and was a huge success benefiting residents from nearby villages. Most of the attendees were women. The camp was a well-planned collaborative effort of multiple organizations: SEEDS-India, IMS & SUM-2 Hospital, Amrit Dhara Palliative Care Trust, and Sambhav. SEEDS-India covered the expenses for food, tent arrangements, publicity, and transportation for volunteer nursing staff, who came from Kalinga Nursing College, Bhubaneswar to support the event. Amrit Dhara Palliative Care Trust and SUM-2 Hospital provided medical assistance including consultation, cancer screening, medicine distribution, and treatment including hospitalization when needed. A dedicated team of 8 doctors, 1 palliative care specialist, and 1 Ayurvedic expert led the screening efforts, ensuring thorough evaluations. Sambhav took the lead in organizing the event at their premises, providing outreach and ground support. The Sambhav team and Ms. Amarabati, a volunteer from Amrit Dhara and Sambhav, played a key role in coordinating the activities. Volunteers from nearby villages also contributed to the camp.
Several distinguished guests attended the camp, including:
- Dr. Anapti Anil, a gynecology specialist from Nayagarh District Headquarters Hospital
- Dr. Puspa, the Nayagarh District Public Health Officer
- Mrs. Sujata Patnaik, Founding Member of Amrit Dhara Palliative Care Trust and a SEEDS USA Board Member
- Mr. Subhash Chandra Choudhury, Founding Trustee and Secretary, SEEDS – India
- Dr. Garima Sarawgi, Assistant Professor, Oncology Department, SUM-2 Hospital
- Padma Shri award winner Sabarmatee, Co-Founder, Sambhav Foundation
The event saw an overwhelming response, with 272 registrations, out of which 170 people screened for breast cancer, cervical cancer, and oral cancer, and for multiple co morbidities departmental registrations were done for almost 90 people. As a result:
✅ 2 clinically confirmed Giant tumor & cancer patients were admitted for immediate and free treatment at SUM-2 Hospital. One of them had a successful surgical removal of a tumor.
✅ 9 suspected cancer cases and 6 tumor cases were identified for further evaluation.
✅ 4 spine patients were referred to neurology department for evaluation.
✅ 21 Pap smears with suspicious pathology taken.
✅ 37 females require Mammograms targeted, 52 age related screening.
✅ 2 patients needed direct Palliative & Supportive care.
A flyer containing early symptoms of cancer was also distributed widely in the Nayagarh District before the health camp. That is indirectly helping people who were not able to attend the camp. At least one person from Nayagarh with cancer symptoms who did not attend the camp but saw the flyer sought help from SUM hospital a couple of days after the health camp.
This focused health camp initiative marks a crucial step in early detection and improved cancer care for the region. All people involved — beneficiaries, volunteers, service providers, and organizers had a positive experience of team work and compassionate care. SEEDS would like to thank all the organizers, volunteers, participants, and generous donors, who made this event successful.
[This report is based on reports by Dr. Garima from SUM Hospital and Padma Shri Sabarmatee of Sambhav.]