Health Minister Highlights Urgent Need for Early Detection Under Swasth Bharat Initiative
Chandigarh, April 26, 2025 (Yes Punjab News)
In a significant stride towards bolstering women’s healthcare, the Punjab Government has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Yuvraj Singh YouWeCan Foundation to implement a comprehensive breast cancer screening program in the Moga district. The MoU signing ceremony was graced by the presence of Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh.
This collaborative endeavor, operating under the Swasth Mahila Swasth Bharat (SMSB) initiative, is strategically designed to address the critical issue of breast cancer prevalence in the state through proactive measures encompassing early detection, widespread awareness campaigns, and ensuring timely access to quality care.
Highlighting the pressing need for this program, Dr. Balbir Singh cited alarming national statistics: “Tragically, every four minutes a woman in India is diagnosed with breast cancer, and every eight minutes, a precious life is lost to this disease. Punjab is resolute in its commitment to alter this devastating trajectory through proactive and impactful healthcare interventions.”
Underscoring the government’s unwavering support for the initiative, the Health Minister stated, “Our partnership with the esteemed YouWeCan Foundation and the launch of the SMSB program in Moga signify a pivotal milestone in our ongoing efforts to fortify our non-communicable disease (NCD) control framework. We are deeply committed to ensuring that every woman in Moga has access to cutting-edge screening technologies and receives timely, comprehensive care.”
The SMSB program, with the support of YouWeCan Foundation’s CSR partner, Xiaomi Technology India Private Limited, will adopt a multi-faceted approach. Key components of the program include extensive community awareness campaigns, comprehensive training on self-breast examination techniques, state-of-the-art screening utilizing the innovative iBE Device, robust referral linkages for accurate diagnosis, a technology-driven monitoring system for effective tracking, and dedicated capacity building programs for healthcare professionals.
Emphasizing the profound impact of early detection, the Health Minister stressed, “The compelling data unequivocally demonstrates that early detection of breast cancer dramatically improves survival rates and significantly reduces the overall cost of treatment. It is simply unacceptable that a staggering 70% of breast cancer patients are diagnosed at advanced, often less treatable stages. Through this crucial initiative in Moga, we aim to fundamentally shift this paradigm, ensuring that a significantly higher proportion of women are diagnosed at earlier, more manageable stages of the disease.”
Concluding with a powerful message of hope and unwavering commitment, the Health Minister affirmed, “By forging this strong alliance with the YouWeCan Foundation, we are confident in our collective ability to make a tangible and lasting difference in the lives of women in Moga. Our ultimate goal is to save lives, alleviate the immense burden associated with late-stage diagnoses, and ultimately cultivate a healthier and more secure future for all women across Punjab. This MoU stands as a powerful testament to our unwavering commitment to prioritizing women’s health and overall well-being.”
Dr. Balbir Singh further elaborated that the program will focus on establishing dedicated breast health screening services readily accessible in Moga, seamlessly integrating SMSB protocols into the state’s existing NCD control programs, and ensuring that healthcare providers are thoroughly trained and equipped to effectively manage breast cancer cases. Strong collaboration with public health authorities and impactful community awareness campaigns will be central pillars in ensuring the initiative’s widespread success and reach.
In addition to this landmark MoU, two other significant MoUs were signed during the event, also in the presence of the Health Minister. The first was with the Swasth Digital Health Foundation for the establishment of a Primary Care Innovation Unit. Under this agreement, the Swasth Alliance will support the creation of this unit within the Department of Health and Family Welfare, facilitating the piloting of innovative healthcare solutions across the state.
The second MoU focused on enhancing palliative care services and was signed with the Cansupport organization. Through this collaboration, Cansupport will provide crucial support to the Department of Health in the effective implementation of the State Palliative Care Policy throughout Punjab, ensuring compassionate care for patients with life-limiting illnesses.
Key officials present at this significant occasion included Principal Secretary Health Kumar Rahul, Special Secretary Health-cum-MD, NHM Ghanshyam Thori, Director Health and Family Welfare Dr. Hitinder Kaur, Director Health Services (Family Welfare) Dr. Jasminder, Assistant Director cum State Program Officer (NP-NCD) Dr. Gagandeep Singh Grover, and Assistant Director Dr. Balwinder Kaur.
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