Mahanagar Gas Limited and Science and Technology Park Lead CSR Drive for Free Cervical Cancer Screening in Rural Maharashtra

RATNAGIRI/ RAIGAD: On the occasion of International Women’s Day, free HPV DNA screening camps for the early detection of cervical cancer were organized under the ‘MGL Aarogya Program’, a CSR initiative of Mahanagar Gas Limited. The camps, jointly conducted by Science and Technology Park Pune and Aigen Biosciences in association with Mahanagar Gas Limited, were organized at various locations in Ratnagiri and Raigad districts and received an enthusiastic response from women.

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, a screening camp was organized on March 8, 2026, in Dapoli with the support of the Tehsil Office. The program was organized under the guidance of Tehsildar and Executive Magistrate Mrs. Archana Bombe. Assistant Manager of Science and Technology Park, Pune, Vaibhav Nimgire, and Manish Punglia from Aigen Biosciences were present on the occasion. A large number of ASHA volunteers and local women participated in the camp.

A similar camp was conducted on February 28, 2026, at Kharvali Group Gram Panchayat in Mahad taluka. On this occasion, Aigen Biosciences Marketing Manager Abhay Vaidya, Kharvali Group Gram Panchayat Sarpanch Chaitanya Mahamunkar, Deputy Sarpanch Jagruti Mahadik, Taluka Health Assistant Nilesh More, Community Health Officers Vanita Jondhale and Sarika Jatale, Health Worker Santosh Sawant, Health Worker Jadhav Sister, ASHA volunteers, and other dignitaries were present.

An HPV DNA screening camp was also organized on February 27, 2026, at Parkar Hospital, Ratnagiri. On this occasion, Dr. Shubhangi Bedekar and Dr. Anuradha Lele from Parkar Hospital, along with Aigen Biosciences Marketing Manager Abhay Vaidya and other camp organizers, were present.

Additionally, another screening camp was conducted on February 26, 2026, at Chira Meadows Eco Resort, Om Sai Nagar, near ITI, Dabhol Road, Jalgaon, Dapoli.

During these camps, HPV DNA tests were conducted for women aged 30 years and above. This test is considered extremely important for identifying the risk of cervical cancer. Normally, the test costs around ₹3,000, but it was provided completely free of cost for women during these camps. In some cases, women who tested HPV positive were guided for further treatment, while primary treatment facilities were also provided at Parkar Hospital, Ratnagiri.

Experts present during the camps stated that cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in India, particularly affecting women between the ages of 35 and 50. Although the disease is largely preventable, its prevalence remains high in rural areas. Every year, approximately 130,000 new cases of cervical cancer are reported in India, and nearly 74,000 women lose their lives to the disease. Since the disease often shows no clear symptoms in its early stages, early detection through screening programs is extremely important to reduce mortality.

The initiative was successfully conducted under the guidance of Ashu Singhal, Managing Director of Mahanagar Gas Limited, and Dr. Rajendra Jagdale, Director General and CEO of Science and Technology Park, Pune. The organizers stated that the main objective of the initiative is to create awareness about cervical cancer among women from underserved communities and encourage early detection and prevention.