In an endeavor to strengthen the battle against cancer, Caritas India’s Ezhuvom Iyakkam initiative has been making significant strides across Tamil Nadu. The campaign, implemented in collaboration with 21 Dioceses through 27 Diocesan Social Service Society (DSSS) partners, is reinvigorating the commitment to cancer care through a comprehensive and unified approach.

Ezhuvom Iyakkam, the cancer care campaign extends its reach across 38 districts of Tamil Nadu and 2 districts of Pondicherry States covering 275 blocks, 3477 panchayats, 6214 villages. With a focus to reach the marginalised communities, the campaign has reached 603430 households, and out of this 131299 (21.8%) belongs to socially marginalized communities. This campaign approach add value to humanitarian coordination through joint strategic and operational planning and is being implemented from 01.01.2020 to 30.09.2022 later extending up to 30.10.2023. Inclusion of communities, engagement with national, state and local authorities and involving in effective movement building through volunteerism and local resources mobilisation are major thrusts.

Incorporating various functional areas of the organization completely to ensure that these functional areas harmonize and get together well is one of the major roles of strategic management. Caritas India facilitates the DSSSs in determining the objectives and the factors influencing strategic decisions so that strategic decisions are made in the cautious deployment of resources to achieve the mission. The campaign programme is implemented in 38 districts of Tamil Nadu and 2 districts of Pondicherry States covering 275 blocks, 3477 panchayats, 6214 villages. Number of households reached is 603430 and out of this 131299 (21.8%) come under socially marginalised communities.

The State level Review of the Programme was held at Madras Social Service Society (MSSS) on 16th August, 2023 with the participation of TASOSS and 20 Diocesan Social Service Societies. The overall arrangement was done by Fr.M V Jacob, Director of MSSS in consultation with Dr.John Arokiaraj, Thematic Lead, Caritas India and Fr.Jesudass, Director of Tamil Nadu Regional Forum – TASOSS.

Setting the context for the review, Fr (Dr) Jolly, Assistant Executive Director of Caritas India elaborated on the evolution of Cancer Care Campaign since 2014, the diverse context in which the campaign is carried out, achievements through programme partners, stake holders’ involvement, the significant impacts it is creating and how we can strategize to sustain the efforts through co-ordinated efforts. He invited the members to reflect whether cancer campaign is considered as one of many activities or it is seen as the diocesan level initiative in a much more focused way.

In his opening message, Executive Director of Caritas India Fr (Dr) Paul Moonjely outlined the importance of commitment and compassion which will lead to simple state of life caring for humanity. This is the need of the hour to fulfil specific mission of church’s diakonia ministry. He explained in detail about the 4 pillars of Cancer Care Campaign and shared the innovative models like mobile mammography, community doctors, telemedicine, lavender army, Samaritan volunteers, direct market linkages, individual voluntary contribution, promotion of millet cultivation and consumption, good food campaigns etc., As a torch bearer of this campaign since 2014, Fr.Paul himself was the architect of many of the aforesaid models.

Dr. John presented the achievements of 27 Partner DSSSs during the initial phase of 32 months and the ongoing phase. He explained how the Realtime Achievement Tracker helps in maintaining Data Matrix with 67 indicators, entitlements, details of CBOs, volunteering, profile of staff and capacity-building initiatives.

It was remarkable to note when he shared that on World Cancer Day, DSSS partners directly reached out to 27383 persons through 243 different events including rallies, awareness talks, signature campaigns, school awareness programmes, Competitions, nutritious food distribution, screening tests, traditional food mela, volunteers orientation.

During the programme period, 3316 cancer patients and 2498 cancer survivors are identified. 695 of the cancer survivors have registered themselves as volunteers. With the locally raised amount of Rs. 48,60,096/-, an estimated 834 cancer patients are assisted with medical treatment. Cancer screening camps have enabled 14427 screening tests through which 2225 persons were referred for treatment and follow-up. By availing the services of palliative care units, the family members of the cancer affected are able to avail proper care. The stakeholders in this campaign include majorly DSSS and CBO members. There are 839 schools, 228 colleges and 465 health institutions especially cancer care treatment centres, PRIs, Government line departments and 18131 volunteers actively partaking in this campaign.

Conscious changes in lifestyle habits and practices are promoted. It could be evidenced by 23442 families practising organic farming, 24335 households being distributed with seeds and the engagement of 53772 families in nutrition garden promotion. People-led and managed approach, volunteer base, local resource base, leadership development for marginalised communities, mobilising people’s interest, dialogue with local governance, and linkage with Government-led campaigns are found to be key factors in the new approach.

The participant directors were appreciative of Caritas India’s accompaniment and the discretionary power given to them in contextualising the activities and approach. They said Cancer care is a life-giving mission and it requires collaboration from all quarters. “Cancer is preventable; it is a societal concern, it is our duty to render support through intense engagement. Compassion has to be expressed at the local level and the intervention of the local Bishop will play a crucial role” they observed.

The forum with the facilitation of Fr. Jesudass, came out with the following suggestions:

1. Collecting data of families affected by Cancer and connecting them with prospective donors for sponsorship and other care givers
2. Mobilising Catholic doctors to provide health support to cancer patients.
3. Sensitizing medical experts among the religious – preventive methods of CANCER
4. Motivating priests to focus on health concerns during their recollection meetings.
5. Encouraging parishes to promote organic products in the campus
6. Motivate people towards social health saving accounts
7. Strengthening health infrastructure in collaboration with Government at different levels, through dialogue and presenting evidence based concept note prepared through scientific study report.
8. Engage in social media campaigns and starting Ezhuvom Iyakkam Annual Magazine
9. Supporting cancer patients with nutrition mix produced by women groups
10. Creating awareness among student communities through competitions, sports and blood donation camps.

In his concluding remarks Fr.Paul explained the unique characteristics of humming bird – realise and retreat which can serve as a guiding light in cancer care campaign. “Working in tandem with like-minded collaborators will result in co-ordination and synergy and will avoid compartmentalisation’ once again reiterated The Executive Director of Caritas India.