The National Summit on Cervical Cancer, a collaborative initiative by ECHO India, the Karnataka Obstetrics and Gynaecology Society, ARTIST for HER, and the Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC), concluded in Bengaluru on March 9, 2024, with a powerful call to action for a #CervicalCancerMuktBharat (Free India of Cervical Cancer).

The summit convened policymakers, leading healthcare experts, and key opinion leaders to address crucial issues and strategize a collective approach to combat this preventable disease.

Honourable Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka, Shri Dinesh Gundu Rao, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. In his address, he underscored the government's commitment to tackling cervical cancer, stating, "The Karnataka Government is dedicated to providing affordable, accessible, and high-quality healthcare services to all citizens, with a particular emphasis on women's health. We are committed to collaborating with healthcare professionals, NGOs, and civil society to ensure accessible screening, timely diagnosis, and effective treatment for all women in Karnataka."

The summit served as a platform for open discussions, knowledge-sharing, and collaborative efforts to address the challenges posed by cervical cancer in India. Key themes included increasing awareness, improving screening processes, and enhancing the overall healthcare infrastructure to provide comprehensive support to women at risk.

Stakeholders highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships and the active involvement of communities to create a holistic approach to cervical cancer prevention and management. The call to action, encapsulated in the hashtag #CervicalCancerMuktBharat, aims to mobilize a nationwide movement towards eradicating cervical cancer and ensuring the well-being of women across the country.

As the summit concluded, participants expressed optimism that the collaborative efforts and commitments made during the event would catalyze tangible improvements in cervical cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, leading India towards a future free of this preventable disease.

The National Summit on Cervical Cancer stands as a milestone in the ongoing battle for women's health and underscores the importance of collective action to create a Cervical Cancer Mukt Bharat.