Ambuja Foundation along with Pernod Ricard India Foundation organized a Cervical Cancer Training Program as part of the Sajag project in Derabassi, Punjab for community and frontline healthcare workers. Following the initiation of the Cancer Education and Awareness program that was started in 2023 in Chandrapur, Maharashtra and later in 2024 in Bathinda, Punjab, the Cancer Care and Education program aims to strengthen community-based interventions for women’s health, with a specific focus on breast and cervical cancer awareness and screening. The training was facilitated by doctors and experts from Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital & Research Centre (HBCHRC) with the objective to enhance the knowledge and skills of community health workers, including Sakhis, ASHAs, AWWs, and CHOs, so that they can deliver awareness sessions in their respective communities and support early detection of cervical cancer.

Doctors from HBCHRC delivered an extensive theory session covering the basics of cervical cancer, risk factors, symptoms, prevention, screening methods, and referral pathways. Hands-on training was provided on Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) technique, equipment handling, sterilization, and patient counselling methods. Participants were also introduced to very basic identification techniques so that Sakhis could mobilize women from the community to healthcare facilities.

During the practical session, project staff examined around 20 community women from nearby villages under the supervision of HBCHRC experts. Detailed discussions were held on how referral and follow-up systems will be managed with support from HBCHRC and local healthcare networks. The session emphasized the importance of early detection and building community awareness for prevention and timely treatment.

Over 40 community-level health workers such as Sakhis, FLWs, ASHAs, AWWs, and CHOs, along with project teams from Sajag and SSHEAT (Steering, Safety and Healthcare Access for Truckers) projects were also present during the training. They will now in turn conduct community-level awareness sessions in 20 villages on cervical and breast cancer, mobilize women from villages for regular health check-ups and screenings at healthcare facilities, establish a structured referral and follow-up mechanism and scale up the model to additional villages under the Sajag Project for wider outreach and impact.