Indus Towers, a leading telecom infrastructure company, has launched a cancer screening program in Assam, partnering with the state government and the Assam Cancer Care Foundation (ACCF). The initiative, part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, aims to address the rising cancer rates in the state and improve the quality of life for its residents.
The program will be implemented across nine districts: Jorhat, Bongaigaon, Lakhimpur, Charaideo, Dhemaji, Hailakandi, Udalguri, Sivasagar, and Baksa. It focuses on early detection, community engagement, and continuous support for cancer patients.
Key elements of the initiative include door-to-door screenings, physical screenings for oral, cervical, and breast cancers, awareness campaigns, and training for frontline health workers. The program will also provide referrals to health and wellness centers and patient navigation services.
Indus Towers’ Circle CEO (NESA), Rajender Gurung, emphasized the importance of timely detection and treatment, ensuring access to cancer care in even the most remote areas. ACCF Chief Operating Officer J.P. Prasad noted that the foundation aims to reach one crore people by March 2027, working to reduce the cancer burden in Assam.
A 2021 report by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) revealed that Assam has a higher cancer rate than the national average, with 114 cases per lakh population, compared to 97 per lakh nationally. The state has seen a surge in cancer cases, with 70% of patients diagnosed at advanced stages, contributing to a high mortality rate.
