Union Minister for Power, Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal flagged off seven mobile breast cancer screening ambulances under the Namo Shakti Breast Cancer Screening Mission from Kalpana Chawla Government Medical College (KCGMC) in Karnal on Sunday. The initiative marks a significant step toward strengthening preventive healthcare for women, particularly those in rural and underprivileged areas.
Doorstep screening for early detection
Manohar Lal stated that the mission would facilitate early detection of breast cancer and improve access to healthcare services. He appreciated the support of the ITV Group and directed the Health Department to prepare route plans so that women in remote villages can easily avail the screening facilities. "The mission is not only about screening but also about removing social stigma and hesitation associated with breast health. Early detection can make treatment nearly 100 percent effective," he said, adding that the programme would be expanded across Haryana in the future.
AI-powered Thermalytix technology
Rajya Sabha MP Kartikeya Sharma highlighted that breast cancer accounts for nearly 25 percent of cancer cases among women in India, and due to lack of awareness, nearly 60 percent of cases are detected at advanced stages. The mission is inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar campaign. The mobile units are equipped with Thermalytix, an AI-powered screening technology that enables women to undergo breast health screening without physical contact, pain, radiation exposure, or compromise of privacy. Doctors confirmed that the technology is completely safe, accurate, and non-invasive. Officials described the initiative as one of the world’s largest AI-enabled breast cancer screening programmes.
Skill development centres inaugurated
Later, Manohar Lal inaugurated two skill development centres in his Parliamentary constituency under the Antyodaya Foundation. A tailoring training centre was launched in Kachwa village, while a computer training centre was inaugurated in Badagaon. These centres aim to provide vocational training to rural youth and women, enabling them to secure employment or become self-reliant through self-employment. Manohar Lal noted that the Foundation, established in 2010, is dedicated to helping the most underprivileged sections of society. A survey conducted by the foundation identified over 1,000 young people in need of skill training. In the first phase, such centres are being opened in 15 villages, with five-member local monitoring bodies named Panchjanya Committees formed in each village to ensure effective functioning.
