Lakhisarai: A new initiative aimed at improving cancer awareness and access to early diagnosis in rural areas was launched on Monday with the inauguration of a special diagnostic centre in Lakhisarai district, Bihar.
The centre, established by Dr Prabhat Ranjan Diagnostic and Research Center at Vidyapeeth Chowk, is designed to serve both rural women and men under a wider Rural Pathology Service programme. The initiative seeks to reduce the need for patients to travel to Patna for basic cancer-related tests and consultations.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Prabhat Ranjan said the programme would enable local sample collection and testing, with further treatment pathways facilitated through the centre itself. “Cancer can be effectively controlled if it is detected and treated at an early stage,” he said, adding that expanding diagnostic facilities in rural areas was crucial to improving outcomes.
Dr Ranjan’s wife, Dr Roopam Ranjan, said the initiative was focused on timely testing and awareness, particularly among populations that often face delays in diagnosis due to distance, cost and lack of information.
The launch event was attended by the district programming officer and several medical professionals, including Dr Praveen, Dr Manish, Dr Sanjeev, Dr Dilip, Dr Haripriya, Dr Sanjay, Dr Abhinav Anand, Dr Sudhanshu and Dr Alok.
Health officials and local doctors described the initiative as an important step towards strengthening rural healthcare infrastructure, with the potential to improve early detection and treatment of serious diseases such as cancer.
