Chandigarh:
The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, successfully organised a Mega Health Camp under the Government of India’s flagship Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan. The camp witnessed an overwhelming response from the community, reaffirming the institute’s commitment to strengthening women’s health and family well-being through early detection, preventive care, and awareness generation.
Adding a global dimension, a group of final-year medical students from Lund University, Sweden, currently on an elective training programme at the Advanced Paediatric Centre (APC), also participated. The delegation engaged with Prof. Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER, and faculty teams, commending the camp’s scale, efficiency, and people-centric approach.
Prof. Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER,“The participation of international students underlines the global relevance of India’s health initiatives. At PGIMER, we are committed to strengthening women’s health, and it is gratifying to see our efforts being appreciated beyond borders. Such exchanges enrich both sides and strengthen our collective vision for healthier societies.”
Ms. Tilda Gunnarsson, a visiting student, observed, “The organisation and outreach of this camp are truly inspiring. Seeing long queues of women waiting patiently and the effort to address every concern was moving. PGIMER’s ability to combine compassion with efficiency is something we aspire to replicate in our healthcare system.”
Echoing her sentiments, Ms. Pavel Larsson added, “What impressed me most is how seamlessly awareness, screening, and treatment are integrated under one roof. The emphasis on women’s health empowers not only individuals but entire families. This is healthcare that is both accessible and deeply humane.”
In sync with their teammates, Ms. Maria Kökeritz and Ms. Mai Stensson shared, ““The energy, compassion, and commitment here are extraordinary. Few large-scale initiatives match such attention to detail. The focus on preventive care and early detection is particularly valuable. For us, this has been an eye-opening experience with lessons far beyond textbooks.”
The Lund University delegation, led by faculty from Skåne University Hospital, is in PGIMER from 15–19 September. Their elective focuses on paediatrics in low- and middle-income settings, offering exposure to diverse clinical presentations, healthcare priorities, and structured workflows in India. Their programme includes ward rounds, specialty clinics, academic sessions, and emergency care observation.
The collaboration, facilitated by Professors Arun Bansal and Sanjay Verma, seeks to foster cross-learning and strengthen global medical education. The visit not only highlighted PGIMER’s role in public health outreachbut also reinforced its position as ahub for international exchange and collaboration in healthcare.
The Mega Health Camp at PGIMER under Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan recorded an impressive turnout with a strong focus on women’s health. A total of 259 antenatal check-ups were conducted, along with 2,459 haemoglobin screenings and 690 breast cancer screenings. Preventive care remained central, with 901 diabetes, 1,079 hypertension, 77 cervical cancer, 238 oral cancer, and 378 sickle cell disease screenings. In addition, PGIMER also conducted , 94 major surgeries, and facilitated 450 blood donations through various camps today. In line with the objective of Govt. of India, Ayushman Bharat cards and ABHA ids were generated at the camp, reflecting PGIMER’s commitment to comprehensive healthcare and community outreach.
