The Haryana government will install Full-Field Digital Mammography (FFDM) machines in eight district hospitals under its ‘Swasth Nari–Sashakt Parivar' initiative to strengthen breast cancer screening and early detection services for women.
Installation Plan
Additional chief secretary, health and family welfare, Dr Sumita Misra, announced on Thursday that the machines will be installed at district civil hospitals in Panchkula, Rewari, Sonipat, Kurukshetra, Panipat, Karnal and Narnaul, as well as at Civil Hospital, Sector-10, Gurgaon. The State Health Procurement and Buy Committee has approved the procurement of 11 FFDM machines through the Haryana Medical Services Corporation Limited at a cost of Rs 1.18 crore per unit.
Inauguration and Goals
The clinics were inaugurated by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on May 29. They aim to provide comprehensive screening, diagnostic and preventive healthcare services for women. Currently, mammography services are only available at Ambala Cantonment, Jhajjar and Rohtak. The new installations are expected to significantly expand access to breast cancer screening and facilitate timely diagnosis and treatment across the state.
Additional Support from PM CARES
Dr Misra stated that the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has also approved five additional mammography units for Haryana under PM CARES, against the state's demand for nine units. These machines will be deployed in other districts based on patient load and service requirements. She emphasized that early detection remains crucial in the fight against breast cancer, and the expansion of mammography services reflects the government's commitment to improving women's healthcare infrastructure and health outcomes.
