Media Release

Mangaluru, Mar 9: In a joint effort to promote preventive healthcare for women, a special outreach health camp was organized on March 9 at Church School, Kinnigoli, in honor of International Women's Day. The initiative was a collaborative endeavor of the Diocesan Council for Catholic Women (DCCW), Mangalore Diocese; Deanery Stree Sanghatan; Catholic Association of South Canara; Kanachur Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Deralakatte; and the Indian Cancer Society, Mangaluru. The camp aimed to raise awareness, guide women toward focused health interventions, and promote a structured approach to healthcare for overall well-being.

The event commenced with an invocation and the introduction of dignitaries. Present on the dais were vicar forane Fr Oswald Monteiro, deanery Stree Sanghatan director Fr Anil D'Souza, Kinnigoli parish priest Fr Joquim Fernandez, Catholic Association of South Kanara president Ronald Gomes, DCCW president Gretta Pinto, deanery Stree Sanghatan president Anitha D'Souza, secretary Nalini D'Souza, Kinnigoli Stree Sanghatan president Sangeetha Sequeira, secretary Gretta Rodrigues, Kinnigoli parish council vice president William D'Souza, and doctors from Kanachur Medical College, including Dr Ashwathi, Dr Afsal, Dr Shreya Hegde, Dr Rashmi, Dr Habiba, and Dr Simran.

In their inaugural addresses, Fr Oswald Monteiro and Gretta Pinto highlighted the significance of the health initiative and the importance of proactive medical testing. Ronald Gomes, in his address, metaphorically likened women to salt, emphasizing their essential role in society.

Cancer remains a major non-communicable health crisis, but early diagnosis can save lives and improve quality of life. The proactive healthcare partnership of Kanachur Medical College Hospital and the Indian Cancer Society provided education, screenings, and guidance for detecting oral, breast, and cervical cancer. The Kanachur medical team offered the following services:

• General health check-ups (blood pressure and blood sugar monitoring)
• Ophthalmology screenings (eye health)
• Gynecological examinations, including PAP smear tests
• Surgical screenings (oral and breast examinations)

Women from Kinnigoli, Damaskatte, Balkunje, Mundkur, Bola, Pakshikere, Niddodi, and Neerude actively participated, demonstrating a growing awareness of preventive healthcare. The initiative encouraged women to prioritize their well-being, aligning with the spirit of International Women's Day.

This outreach program underscored the significance of accessible healthcare and targeted awareness campaigns in empowering individuals and fostering healthier communities. The dedicated efforts of the partnering organizations made a meaningful impact, reinforcing the need for continued collaboration in addressing community health challenges.