Jamshedpur, December 15: Tata Steel Foundation, in collaboration with the Jamshedpur Cancer Society (JCS) through Meherbai Tata Memorial Hospital (MTMH), has launched a comprehensive Mobile Cancer Screening Initiative to improve access to early cancer detection and treatment for underserved rural communities in Kalinganagar, Meramandali and East Singhbhum.
The initiative was formally launched with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Tata Steel Foundation and JCS. As part of the launch, a Mobile Cancer Screening Unit (mCSU) was flagged off by D B Sailaja Ramam, Chairperson, Ladies Committee, MTMH.
The programme will be operational from December 2025 to March 2028 and aims to provide end-to-end cancer care, including community awareness, screening, confirmatory diagnosis and linkage to treatment. The initiative will focus on oral, breast and cervical cancers, which account for a large proportion of preventable cancer cases in India.
Monthly mobile screening camps will be organised at each of the three locations. Each camp will operate for 4.5 days and is expected to conduct up to 90 mammograms, 65 PAP smears and 135 oral cancer screenings. Awareness sessions on cancer risk factors, early symptoms and prevention will also be held.
A key component of the initiative is capacity building of local healthcare workers. Master trainers will be trained at MTMH, who will further train ASHA workers and frontline health staff to strengthen grassroots screening and referral systems. Community mobilisation will be carried out in coordination with block and district health authorities.
Individuals with positive screening results will be referred to MTMH for confirmatory diagnosis and supported in accessing treatment, including linkage to government health schemes.
D B Sundara Ramam, Director, Tata Steel Foundation, said the initiative will help bring specialised healthcare to last-mile communities where access remains a challenge.
Sourav Roy, CEO, Tata Steel Foundation, said the project reflects Jamshedpur’s collaborative and empathetic approach towards addressing critical social and healthcare needs.
