By Fr Joaquim Fernandes for BISMumbai

In collaboration with Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA), Fr Diego Nunes along with the Salesian Cooperators and the Parish Pastoral members organised a Cancer Diagnosis Camp on 15 January 2023 at Naigaon. This was a first-of-its-kind initiative for the parishioners of Mary Help of Christians Church, Naigaon, and nearly 150 people from the parish and people of other faiths attended the health camp.

A team consisting of 15 para-medical professionals, doctors and nurses came from Mumbai to check the people and detect if they have cancer. The diagnosis and detection camp was free for all people. Fr Dominic Martis, the Rector, welcomed and thanked the team of doctors and the para-medical professionals for this act of community service. The camp commenced from 10.00 a.m. and went on for nearly four hours. The organising team helped with the logistics of the camp; they grouped those who came for the camp into various batches and requested them to visit the doctors at the allocated time. The school provided classrooms for the doctors to check individual patients, and privacy and confidentiality were maintained.

An elder from the aged home was indeed very grateful for this health care facility provided by the doctors at Don Bosco, Naigoan. The parish team picked her and other inmates from the aged home by car and then dropped them after completing their visit to the doctor. “We have a duty and responsibility to provide the best health care so that the diagnosis is done perfectly and the reports can be checked by any health professionals. We travel to remote parts of the country and serve the poor and the needy. It greatly helps the poor people and therefore, we organize such camps.” said the Para-medical professional.

Fr Diego Nunes, the Provincial Delegate for the Salesian Family of the Province of Bombay, expressed his gratitude to Ms Anita Peter, Executive Director, Cancer Advocacy and Support at CPAA, for helping him organise the health camp. “I am indeed happy to see so many people getting an opportunity to check themselves as part of preventive care for cancer. I am inspired by the dedication of the team of doctors and the paramedical professionals and it’s a great service to God and humanity.” said Fr Nunes.

The health care team checked all present and also recommended added tests for further investigation to some. The evaluation of the reports will be presented to the people through a follow up and financial assistance will be given by the CPAA Trust to the needy patients.