Merck expands cancer care access in rural India under its CSR initiatives

New Delhi: Merck has established strategic partnerships with two not-for-profit organizations: the HCG Foundation and the Rashtreeya Sikshana Samithi Trust to expand cancer care access in rural regions of India. These collaborations aim to provide free cancer screening and treatment support in underserved areas across Karnataka and Maharashtra.

Under its partnership with the HCG Foundation, Merck will deploy specialized Oral Cancer Screening Vans to rural parts of Maharashtra. The initiative will focus on educating residents about the symptoms and prevention of oral cancer, while also providing screening and diagnostic services. As part of the program, Merck plans to set up around 100 cancer camps, to reach at least 10,000 rural residents.

Furthering its commitment to enhancing access to cancer care, Merck has also teamed up with the Rashtreeya Sikshana Samithi Trust to raise awareness and provide cancer care across 600 villages in Karnataka. To date, this initiative has already screened 933 individuals, provided diagnostic support to 60 people, identified 106 cases of precancerous lesions, treated 68 people for non-cancerous oral conditions, and offered referral support to two individuals diagnosed with cancer.

The programs will offer free consultations and lab investigations, including blood sugar tests, blood pressure checks, BMI measurements, physical oral check-ups, and Trismus testing. Screenings will be supported by digital apps to assess overall health and identify potential risk factors, with counselling provided on the next steps for those in need of further care.

Merck’s efforts underscore its commitment to making quality healthcare accessible to all segments of society at affordable costs. The company’s broader social responsibility initiatives have positively impacted over 120,000 lives across education, healthcare, and relief programs. In line with this mission, Merck previously launched the “Care on Wheels” oncology project, which provided screening, awareness, diagnostic support, and palliative care for terminally ill cancer patients.