Health Facilities At Maha Kumbh: Women Can Avail Breast Cancer Screenings

The Math of Kerala at the Maha Kumbh is running a pink bus facilitating breast cancer detection in women, under the guidance of spiritual leader Maa Amritnanadamayi. Sant Brahmarishi Eknath, associated with Maa Amritanandamayi Math, told Press Trust of India that the bus with the mammography facility has been prepared for Rs 4 crore. It has all the equipment required for breast cancer screening.

The Maha Kumbh Mela, known for its large spiritual gathering, takes place every 12 years at one of the four holy sites—Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, or Nashik. The timing of the Maha Kumbh Mela is determined by the alignment of celestial bodies. It is held when Jupiter (Brihaspati) enters Aquarius (Kumbha Rashi) and the Sun enters Aries (Mesha Rashi). This unique planetary alignment occurs approximately once every 12 years, making it an auspicious time for spiritual activities. Hindus believe that during this period, the sacred rivers at the Kumbh sites become charged with divine nectar (Amrit), offering spiritual purification and liberation to those who bathe in them

This year, the Maha Kumbh kickstarted in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj on January 13, with over 7 crore devotees having taken a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam. The mela will conclude with Maha Shivaratri on February 26. However, what caught our attention was the utilisation of the biggest platform of spirituality to raise awareness about the otherwise taboo topic of breast cancer.

Health facilities at Maha Kumbh

Sant Brahmarishi Eknath said that a lot of women are hesitant to get breast cancer checked in time. Therefore, Amma has sent this bus for women for the first time in Maha Kumbh. It was inaugurated in Faridabad in 2022.

“Amma has also put a mobile mini hospital bus into service for this fair. This bus has an X-ray facility, pathology lab, minor operations and treatment facilities. This bus has been connected to the main hospital through satellite with the help of ISRO so that the specialised doctors of Faridabad can guide from there,” he assed. He acknowledged that women are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer after the age of 40. If it is detected in the first stage, it can be treated at a much lesser cost at Maa Amritanandamayi Hospital in Faridabad.

He informed that apart from this, 50 paramedical staff have come from Faridabad and Cochin who are serving in this camp and the hospital built in the fair.

One in twenty-eight Indian women is likely to develop breast cancer during her life. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in India, accounting for 28.2% of all female cancers, with an estimated 216,108 cases by 2022.  Previous health initiatives at such events have shown positive impacts on public health outcomes, making this project particularly relevant.