- Sterling Hospitals & Western Railway join hands to spotlight prevention and early detection on World Cancer Day
- City’s busiest transit hub transformed into a powerful public health messaging space
- Leaders and oncologists stress lifestyle change, screening and timely diagnosis
- Initiative reinforces shared responsibility in combating cancer through awareness
NE HEALTH BUREAU
VADODARA, FEB 9
Vadodara Railway Station was awash in pink on Sunday evening as Sterling Hospital, Bhayli, in collaboration with the Divisional Railway Hospital, Western Railway Vadodara Division, marked World Cancer Day with a striking visual campaign aimed at spreading awareness on cancer prevention and early detection. Alongside the illumination, awareness messages across the station underscored the importance of timely screening and informed health choices.
By choosing one of the city’s busiest transit hubs, the organisers sought to reach a wide and diverse audience. With thousands of commuters moving through the station daily, the initiative was designed to reinforce critical messages around early diagnosis, healthy lifestyles and access to timely treatment—bringing cancer awareness directly into everyday public life.
Santosh Marathe, Managing Director and CEO, Sterling Hospitals, said the initiative reflects the hospital’s strong focus on preventive healthcare. “Cancer care today must extend beyond hospital walls. Through this collaboration with Western Railway, we are using a public platform to encourage people to prioritise prevention and early detection,” he said.
Echoing the sentiment, Raju Bhadke, Divisional Railway Manager, Western Railway Vadodara Division, highlighted the role of public infrastructure in social outreach. “Railway stations are among the most frequented public spaces. Leveraging them for health awareness helps deliver critical messages to a large and diverse audience,” he said.
From a medical standpoint, Dr. Deepali Tiwari, Chief Medical Superintendent, Railway Hospital, Vadodara, emphasised the importance of proactive healthcare. “Timely information, lifestyle modification and routine screening can significantly reduce the burden of cancer. Such initiatives encourage people to seek early medical advice,” she said.
Reinforcing the need to address myths and fear, Dr. Vibha Nayak, Director and Medical Oncologist, Sterling Hospitals, said sustained awareness is key to better outcomes. “Reducing fear and misinformation around cancer through sustained awareness is essential. Early-stage detection not only improves outcomes but also enhances quality of life,” she said.
Sterling Hospital, Bhayli, continues to expand its oncology service s as part of its commitment to comprehensive cancer care. Organisers noted that the World Cancer Day initiative symbolises a shared resolve between healthcare institutions and public bodies to strengthen community health awareness—turning a railway station into a moving message of hope, vigilance and early action.
