In many communities across Chandigarh, health often comes last. Women, especially, tend to put their families before themselves, quietly ignoring changes in their own bodies. Conversations around breast or cervical cancer are still uncomfortable, often avoided, and as a result, early signs go unnoticed.
Moreover, there is a clear gap between available services and their actual utilisation. People often avoid screenings or delay seeking care due to fear, misinformation, or simply not knowing where to go.
Ambuja Foundation, in partnership with Pernod Ricard India Foundation, has initiated Project SAJAG, a community-based healthcare initiative. The project focuses on the prevention and early detection of non-communicable diseases, along with creating awareness around cancer and mental health. It also aims to improve access to preventive healthcare services among vulnerable communities, especially women, adolescents, and high-risk groups.
As part of this initiative, a range of activities have been carried out, including cancer awareness sessions, demonstrations on self-breast examination techniques, capacity-building trainings, and health camps with regular check-ups. These efforts are designed to bring both awareness and essential healthcare services closer to the community.
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In Dayalpura village, health check-ups were often delayed or ignored due to limited awareness, time constraints, and distance to facilities, particularly affecting women and elderly residents. Through Project SAJAG, and with the consistent efforts of Baljit Singh, this hesitation gradually turned into participation. By connecting people to information and services, he helped ensure that health camps saw growing attendance and inclusivity. Today, villagers are more aware, more willing to get screened, and more proactive about their health. Slowly, people are beginning to care for their health in ways they never did before.