Engineer-Turned-Social Worker Raises Cervical Cancer Awareness in Rural Areas

Engineer-Turned-Social Worker Raises Cervical Cancer Awareness: Sudeshna Ruhaan, a young engineer-turned-social worker in Raipur, has been assiduously working on the ground to raise awareness about cervical cancer among rural girls and women.

Sudeshna Ruhaan told the TOI that once a week, a rural area within a block is chosen to ensure maximal female participation. To date, they have visited over 20 communities in the vicinity of Raipur. Some villages in Durg and Bhilai were also included, along with one village in Dantewada.

Engineer-Turned-Social Worker Raises Cervical Cancer Awareness in Rural Areas

She has been collaborating with local organisations and employing novel approaches to ensure that her message reaches every corner of the community.

After concluding her dissertation on breast cancer at NIT Raipur in 2012, Ruhaan made the decision to counsel cancer patients and began visiting regional cancer centres. After ten years as a counsellor, she had the opportunity to observe Intra Vaginal Radiation Therapy (IVRA) being administered to women with cervical cancer in the radiation chamber. She stated that the screening and radiation therapy were very distinct from general radiation.

During the procedure, patients with cervical cancer were required to endure an OT (Operation Theatre) procedure in which an applicator is inserted into the cervix region and then medicines are applied to the infected areas, resulting in excessive bleeding. Upon observing this, she resolved to prevent women from experiencing such suffering.

In 2021, the engineer-turned-counselor took initiative and began assisting these women. She made it a priority to visit rural villages at least once per week, where women collect and distribute information about cervical cancer.

She established the Niramayah Foundation in 2022 to provide patients with broader assistance.

Throughout the sessions, numerous women share their peculiar experiences and problems, which are then discussed and attempted to be resolved. She added that the sessions encompass a variety of cancer stages, risk factors, and treatment methods.

Executive engineer of Kurukshetra University held taking bribe