- For this initiative, we have deployed an Advanced Artificial Intelligence enabled colposcope developed under the guidance of WHO by an Ahmedabad-based firm VNS Inc, an International MedTech organization: Dr Anjana Chauhan
NE HEALTH BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, OCT 4
Radiance Hospitals, one of the largest tertiary care hospitals and Anurika Wellness, run by Anurika Empowerment Foundation, an NGO working for a healthy, sustainable and Atmanirbhar society, on Tuesday announced the launch of Gujarat’s first HPV Clinic in Ahmedabad.
Speaking with navjeevanexpress.com, Dr Anjana Chauhan, Founder & Director – Anurika Wellness and leading Gynec Cancer Surgeon, said, “This is the first-of-its kind dedicated HPV clinic in Gujarat covering HPV Awareness, Screening, Colposcopy, Cancer surgery and post op care under one roof. This speciality clinic will be headed by me. For this initiative, we have deployed an Advanced Artificial Intelligence enabled colposcope developed under the guidance of WHO by an Ahmedabad-based firm VNS Inc, an International MedTech organization. As part of this HPV awareness drive, we are also launching a low-cost self-testing kit manufactured in Ahmedabad today. The cost of this HPV treatment is covered under the Central and State government health schemes. After the screening test, the cost of treatment will start at Rs 2 lakh onwards. And the patients have to undergo regular check-ups every two years till the age of 50. With the early detection of HPV, cervical cancer is fully curable.”
Throwing light on HPV or Human Papilloma Virus, Dr Anjana Chauhan, said, “It is a dangerous virus affecting human being. It is asymptomatic and silent killer. There are a total of 15 types of strands that are carcinogenic type which cause various cancers in men and women. “High-risk” types – cause abnormal Pap tests & lead to cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina in women and anus or penial cancer in men. “Low-risk” types – mild Pap test abnormalities and genital wart. Between the age of group of 20 to 30 years the HPV prevalence is nearly over 60%.The HPV type 16 & 18 is responsible for 70% of cervical cancers, 50%-60% of all pre invasive lesions of cervix like CIN 2 & CIN 3 and 25% is responsible for CIN 1lesion. HPV type 6 & 11 are responsible for 90% of genital warts in both men and women.”
Cervical cancer remains the second most common malignancy in females and affects 4,90,000 females and cause 2,70,000 deaths annually worldwide. It has an unequal geographic distribution, with the highest global disease burden confined to the developing countries, where the facilities to combat the disease are ineffective. 80% of this burden is experienced in the developing countries and in India, it is estimated that 0.8 to 1 million new cases are detected each year. However, exact data on this disease in the country is yet to be developed, added Dr Anjana Chauhan.
“Routine Screening of Cervical cancer is done by pap smear and recently by doing HPV test. By screening it will detect cervical cancer in pre cancer condition where it is 100 percent cure. Colposcopy is instrument for diagnosing pre cancer lesion of the cancer after screening of the women for cervical cancer. A colposcope not only provides a magnified view of the cervix of the uterus, but also identifies the abnormalities and thus helps in decision making for treatment of the various pre cancer condition of the cervix,” said Soham Pathak, Founder and CEO of VNS Inc.
Vijay Kumar Sedani, Founder & Director – Anurika Wellness, said, “We will be opening three new centres in Gujarat to expand our healthcare initiatives next month. Gradually, we will have 12 such centres in the state.”
Dr Apurva Vyas, Robotic Bariatric and GI Lap Surgeon and his colleagues were also present at the inaugural event.
