A UNIQUE CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS THE ALARMING RISE IN COVID 19 INFECTIONS IN RURAL INDIA
PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE
Multilayered cloth masks provided to 20, 000 residents in 10 Villages in Narayanraopet Mandal, Siddipet District (Narayanaraopet, Ibrahimpur, Banjerpalli, Kodhandaraopalli, Laxmidevipalli, Malyala, Gurralagondhi, Jakkapur, Gopulapur, Matindla).
Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) Self Help Group (SHG) volunteers have helped in making these masks
AN ENDEAVOR TO SAVE LIVES IN RURAL TELANGANA
AND
CREATE AWARENESS ABOUT EARLY DETECTION OF BREAST CANCER
To address the rapidly rising infections and deaths associated with COVID 19 in Rural India, Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation & KIMS-USHALAKSHMI Centre for Breast Diseases in Hyderabad has embarked upon a landmark and innovative “COVID19 PINK RIBBON MASK CAMPAIGN IN BANGARU TELANGANA”.
The aim of this unique initiative is to ensure the much-needed protection from COVID 19, in rural Telangana, and equally, create awareness about importance of early detection of breast cancer through the “pink’ coloured cloth masks (a colour that represents breast cancer awareness). 20, 000 masks have been distributed to residents in all the ten villages in Narayanraopet Mandal (Narayanaraopet, Ibrahimpur, Banjerpalli, Kodhandaraopalli, Laxmidevipalli, Malyala, Gurralagondhi, Jakkapur, Gopulapur, Matindla).
Mr Harish Rao, Hon’ble Minister of Finance, Govt of Telangana, who launched this landmark Rural Initiative said “ I applaud Dr Raghu Ram for his relentless & significant contribution to his adopted village, Ibrahimpur over the past six years. His noble goal through this campaign is to protect women from COVID 19 and create awareness about early detection of breast cancer. This is the first of its kind initiative being undertaken in our State and perhaps the Country. The Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) Self Help Group (SHG) from Nandigama Mandal in Ranga Reddy District have made these masks that were commissioned by Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation, which has also provided the much needed additional income to atleast 100 SHG members from SERP through this initiative”.
Speaking on this occasion, Dr P. Raghu Ram, Director, Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation & KIMS-USHALAKSHMI Centre for Breast Diseases who has been championing several life transforming initiatives in his adopted village, Ibrahimpur since 2015 said “With COVID infections and deaths rising at an alarming rate in rural India and limited Healthcare infrastructure in rural regions where more than 70% of population reside, I sincerely hope that this unique preventive campaign will provide the much needed protection from COVID 19 infection, and equally, actively encourage people from rural areas of Telangana to wear a mask, which is one of the fundamental pillars of protection against COVID 19. The COVID pandemic has taken a huge toll on cancer treatment in the Country. Breast cancer is the commonest cancer-affecting women in India. Due to COVID 19 crisis, there has been a steep fall in the number of women presenting to their doctors for initial assessment. With more than 60% already presenting in advanced stages with poor survival, this percentage will increase manifold with the current unfortunate scenario in the country. The Campaign, in addition to saving lives, through the PINK colour masks also hopes that women do not neglect their health and raise awareness about importance of early detection of Breast cancer”.
Dr Raghu Ram further added “In order to make a wider impact and reach out to residents in some 90 villages in Siddipet Constituency, Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation is seeking support from those who would be willing to contribute to this campaign. It costs Rs 20 to make a multilayer cloth mask. To contribute, please call the Foundation representative @ +91-9100903781. The Foundation has 80G Certification and donation would benefit from tax exemption.”
Mr Yella Reddy, Sarpanch for Ibrahimpur Village said “There is enormous fear amongst the people in villages about COVID 19. On behalf of residents of Ibrahimpur village, I am deeply grateful to Dr Raghu Ram for this yet another timely initiative in his adopted Village. Prevention is better than cure as people in villages cannot afford expensive treatment. 20, 000 Masks will be hand delivered today and tomorrow in every home to all the residents in 10 villages in Narayanraopet Mandal. This campaign will certainly saves many lives in addition to raising awareness about the importance wearing a mask in other rural regions of Telangana as well”.
