NE HEALTH BUREAU
CHENNAI, NOV 5
Marking Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, GEM Hospital Chennai, India’s leading centre for Gastroenterology and laparoscopic care, has taken a major step forward in the fight against one of the world’s deadliest cancers. The hospital unveiled a first-of-its-kind QR-based Patient Support Service, empowering individuals to seek timely expert help, and celebrated “Stories of Strength”—a heartfelt felicitation ceremony honouring pancreatic cancer survivors who continue to inspire hope and courage.
- Launches India’s first QR-based Patient Support Service; honours cancer survivors for their courage and resilience
- Dr. C. Palanivelu: “Our mission is to change the narrative—early awareness and timely access can save lives.”
Early Awareness, Lifesaving Action
Pancreatic cancer, often dubbed the “silent killer,” is the 7th leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. In India, cases are rising due to late-stage detection, vague early symptoms, and low public awareness.
“Pancreatic cancer is particularly dangerous because more than 80% of cases are detected late. Our goal is to change that through stronger awareness and easier access to specialists,” said Dr. C. Palanivelu, Founder & Chairman, GEM Hospitals. “When detected early, chances of curative surgery and targeted therapy can increase survival by more than four times.”
QR-Based Patient Access — A Game-Changer for Timely Care
Highlighting the hospital’s digital innovation, Dr. P. Senthilnathan, Director, GEM Hospital Chennai, explained:
“Many people ignore early symptoms or hesitate to visit a hospital. Our new QR-based service bridges that gap. With just a simple scan, anyone can connect directly with our doctors—not bots or automated systems, but real experts who listen and guide. It removes barriers of hesitation and ensures no warning sign goes unnoticed.”
The system enables instant patient-doctor interaction — whether from a concerned family member or an individual experiencing symptoms like unexplained weight loss, abdominal discomfort, or jaundice—making early medical response faster and more accessible.
Honouring Survivors, Inspiring Hope
The event’s emotional highlight was the felicitation of pancreatic cancer survivors, who shared their journeys during a special session titled “Stories of Strength.”
“Survivor stories remind us that a pancreatic cancer diagnosis is not the end—it is a challenge that can be overcome through awareness, treatment, and collective support,” said Dr. S. Asokan, CEO, GEM Hospital Chennai.
PAN GAIN — A Comprehensive Pancreas Care Network
Dr. S. Srivatsan Gurumurthy, Senior Consultant, Surgical Gastroenterologist, introduced PAN GAIN (Pancreas Care GEM Advanced Intervention Network)—a unified initiative providing comprehensive care for pancreatic disorders including tumours, stones, cysts, and pancreatitis under one expert team.
“Awareness and early diagnosis are crucial. Through PAN GAIN, we aim to integrate diagnosis, intervention, and patient education for better outcomes,” Dr. Srivatsan said. “As a symbol of solidarity, our hospital will be illuminated in purple throughout the month—honouring patients, survivors, and their families.”
