Cancer Mukt Manipur : Igniting unity, technology, and hope for a cancer-free tomorrow

Dr Vaibhav R Deogirkar
In Manipur's resilient heart, where Nupi Lan women once rose against tyranny, a quieter revolution now battles a silent assassin : cancer. To the kind-hearted, hospitable people of Manipur—your overwhelming embrace of our recent health camps has rekindled hope. Past efforts saw sparse crowds, despite endless toil. We listened, learned, and bridged gaps with media, CSOs, MLAs, and NGOs. Today, transformation blooms. Yet shadows linger: stigma silences the fearful, poverty forces quack cures, and late diagnoses shatter families. In North East India, Manipur bears a heavy burden—National Cancer Registry data (2022) reveals soaring oral, breast, and cervical cases, fueled by tobacco, diets, and delay. Early detection saves lives. Imagine Manipuri women leading again, as in 1939, fueling "Cancer Mukt Bharat Initiative" with unbreakable spirit.
Meet Dr Swapnil Mane, a visionary remaking cancer care. Since 2011, Saidham Cancer Hospital in Shirdi—under Dr Mane Medical Foundation—stands as a 500-bed sanctuary, offering free care to over 1 million rural souls across India and beyond. At his call, my Dev Desh Pratishthan (est. 2010) brought Manipur one of its largest camps on February 26-27, amid trials. For a decade, we've served rural Maharashtra with free screenings and treatments, chasing our vow: no one turned away for lack of means.
Our Manipur mitras—Shri Rajkumar Raju Singh Ji, Shri N Bhupendra Ningthoujam Ji, and L Bashanta Sharma Ji—rallied medicos, CSOs, clubs, and VIPs. The triumph ? 350+ at Bal Vidya Mandir, Imphal (urban); 220 (95% women) at PHC Nongpok Sekmai, Thoubal (rural). Women of all faiths united, answering Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Ji's call for inclusive progress. In diversity's embrace, Manipur's true strength shone.
Dr Mane, our partners, and I pledge: eradicate cancer here through deeds, not fanfare. We'll adopt remote villages, build infrastructure with Manipur's Government, and leverage Railways' reach to heal hills and valleys.
Witness innovation's spark : Velscope for oral cancers, NIRAMAI's AI breast scans (radiation-free), AI colposcopes for cervical threats—all Manipur firsts. Soon, mobile units will roam, followed by treatment hubs. But this demands your voice for "Cancer Mukt Bharat." Manipur, vulnerable yet valiant, faces a cancer storm. Experts predict surges—preventable heartbreak. Rise above divides. Be Bharatiyas, Nupi Lan heirs. Join us. With technology, unity, and your fire, we'll make Manipur cancer-mukt—a lighthouse of health for generations.
Heartfelt thanks to teammates: Swapnil Shirsath (CEO, Saidham), Dr. Omprakash Gajre (Sr. Dentist), Dr. Aishwarya Khade, Dr. Harshada Pawar, Kailas Khandagale, Rohit Chavan, and Jaiganesh Murugan Lingathar—for their selfless devotion.
Dr Vaibhav R. Deogirkar is president, Dev Desh Medical Educational Social Pratishthan, Mumbai. Reach: [email protected]