The 1020-bedded Shalinitai Meghe Hospital & Research Centre (SMHRC), in association with Datta Meghe Medical College (DMMC), Swasthya Vriksha Foundation, and NSIC, successfully conducted a Mega Free HPV Vaccination Camp at the Shalinitai Meghe Mother and Child Care Hospital. The initiative witnessed an overwhelming response, with 292 young women aged 18 to 21 years receiving free cervical cancer vaccinations.
The camp was inaugurated by Dr. Naresh Gill, Deputy Director (Community Services), SMHRC who underscored the critical role of preventive healthcare in combating cervical cancer. He appreciated the collective effort behind the initiative and called for continued momentum in public health outreach.
The event featured impactful awareness sessions by faculty from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, aimed at debunking prevalent myths and educating attendees on the life-saving potential of the HPV vaccine, which is known to prevent cervical cancer, genital warts, and other HPV-related conditions. Given its highest efficacy before exposure, the vaccine is recommended for adolescents and young adults.
Students from Datta Meghe Medical, College of Allied Health Sciences and Nursing College actively participated in the event, highlighting increasing awareness and proactive engagement among youth.
Dr. Deepika Chandhok, Founder President, Swasthya Vriksha Foundation, movingly stated, “This is the best gift you can give to your loved ones—a protection that lasts a lifetime.”
Dr. Naresh Gill lauded the initiative by NSIC and MGI, adding, “Such initiatives are the absolute need of the hour. Together, we must strive to shield young girls from the threat of cervical cancer.”
Reaffirming institutional commitment, Dr. Anup Marar, Director, SMHRC, remarked, “Preventive healthcare is a cornerstone of our commitment to community well-being. Initiatives like these highlight the importance of early intervention in combating life-threatening diseases. We appreciate the collaborative spirit that made this camp a success.” He further added that Shri Sagar Meghe, Principal Advisor, DMIHER (DU), envisions regular vaccination drives for all eligible target groups under SMHRC’s preventive health framework.
The success of this initiative was made possible through the strong support of Dr. Ujwal Gajbe, Dean, DMMC, Dr. B.R. Singh, Vice Dean, DMMC, Dr. Vasant Gawande, CMS, and Dr. Sudhir Singh, AMS, SMHRC. The event was graced by key faculty members including Dr. Chandrakant Bokade (Prof. & Head, Pediatrics), Dr. Rajasi Sengupta (Prof. & Head, Obstetrics & Gynaecology), and Dr. Smita Parate (Professor).
The seamless execution of the event—from registration, consent, vaccination, to post-procedure monitoring—was made possible by the dedicated efforts of doctors, Rotaract Club volunteers, nursing staff, and students, under the guidance of Dr. Richa Sharma, Administrator, and Dr. Prajakta Khobragade, Floor Manager, SMMCH.
A special acknowledgment goes to the dynamic team from Swasthya Vriksha Foundation, including:
- Mr. Abhishek Chawla (Founder Vice President)
- Dr. Jasmeet Chandhok (Founder Secretary)
- Mr. Hemchandra Salodkar (Director – Operations)
- Mr. Tarique Raza (Founder Treasurer)
- Mrs. Manju Karemore (President, SVF Nagpur)
- Mr. Ankush Bijewar (President, SVF Yuva)
- Other dedicated team members: Dr. Bhawna Pendke, Dr. Payal Agrawal, Mrs. Nikita Patil, Mr. Vishal Sethi, Dr. Kunda Shahane, Dr. Pallavi Pande, Dr. Achint Chachada, Mrs. Prachi Kolhapure, Vaishnavi Budhe, Sakshee Borkar, Aniket Ingale, Prapti Pendke, Ankit Bijewar, Sanika Yerekar, Rani Khandar, Shraddha Titarmare, Tushil Kanfade, Ishani Karemore, Sakshi Raut, Shreyash Patil, Dr. Priti Jaiswal, and Mrs. Meena Lende.
This milestone event stands as a testament to the power of collaborative healthcare, youth engagement, and institutional commitment to public health. It marks another strong step in the region’s fight against preventable diseases and showcases SMHRC’s leadership in community-centered care.
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