Chennai, June 22nd, 2025: Shri Kulandei Francis, esteemed President of the Integrated Village Development Project (IVDP) and a Ramon Magsaysay Awardee, gets felicited for a landmark achievement in community health. This special recognition ceremony, held in Chennai at Hotel Holiday Inn, OMR, celebrates the successful cancer screening of 10,738 women members of IVDP in Krishnagiri, a testament to IVDP’s profound commitment to women’s well-being and early cancer detection. Karkinos Healthcare acknowledges this significant accomplishment, which highlights the power of dedicated community-led health initiatives.
Under the visionary leadership of Shri Kulandei Francis, IVDP’s focused efforts in collaboration with Karkinos Healthcare, have brought transformative health benefits to thousands of rural women. The program has achieved remarkable outcomes:
• 10,738 women screened for three major prevalent cancers over a period of two years.
• An estimated 1,087 women potentially prevented from developing cervical cancer through timely detection and intervention.
• Nearly 800 women diagnosed and navigated towards treatment for breast cancer.
• 25 women received early diagnosis and treatment for other cancers.
On this occasion, Shri Kulandei Francis, President, IVDP says, “The core of IVDP’s mission has always been holistic empowerment of our rural communities and ensuring good health of our women members. This milestone is a result of their trust, our team’s dedication, and the support of partners like Karkinos Healthcare who believe in our vision and collaborated for implementation of this initiative. This initiative stands as a testament to the power of community-centric models in tackling complex health challenges. By facilitating access to affordable early detection and preventative cancer care, Karkinos Healthcare has enabled us to make a tangible difference in a region where such services are often out of reach. We hope this success encourages wider adoption of such preventative health programs.”
“The scale and impact of what Shri Kulandei Francis and IVDP have achieved are truly commendable and deeply inspiring. Screening over 10,700 women and significantly impacting their health outcomes is a monumental feat. It underscores the critical role of community leadership in public health. Karkinos Healthcare is privileged to acknowledge such transformative work, which aligns with our commitment to making quality cancer care accessible to all,” adds Ms. Sripriya Rao, Head – Distributed Cancer Care Network (DCCN) and Chief Growth Officer – Women’s Wellness, Karkinos Healthcare.
Dr.Malini Chandrasekharan, Medical Director-South, Karkinos Healthcare, added, “The preventative success, especially concerning cervical cancer, and the early detection of breast and other cancers achieved by IVDP will have a profound and lasting positive impact on countless families. This achievement is a beacon of hope and a clear demonstration of what is possible when passion and partnership converge for a common good.”
This initiative by IVDP is a powerful demonstration of how community-centric models can effectively address critical health challenges in underserved regions. By facilitating access to affordable early detection and preventative cancer care, IVDP has made an invaluable contribution to the health and resilience of the Krishnagiri community. Their work serves as an inspiring blueprint for impactful grassroots action.
The success of IVDP’s cancer screening program, culminating in this felicitation, stands as a powerful testament to what dedicated organisations can achieve. It is a compelling call to action for other like-minded institutions and organisations to explore and implement similar impactful health initiatives, fostering a healthier future for communities across the nation. It showcases how strategic partnerships and community engagement can lead to significant advancements in public health, particularly in the fight against cancer.
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