Mobile mammography unit launched

Minister of Health and Family Welfare U T Khader on Tuesday launched “Ayana,” a mobile mammography unit, set up by Narayana Health in the City.

The mobile unit, equipped with a mammography machine and a computed radiography system to digitise and scan images, will comprise an all women team- a driver, two nurses and a cleaner. Further, a TV installed outside the vehicle will play videos on breast cancer to create awareness among the masses.

Speaking on the initiative, the minister said, “The idea of gifting a mobile unit by Rohini Nilekani is to help patients, especially poor people in the slums and remote areas who lack awareness.” He observed that even as several crores are being invested on cancer research and treatment, tobacco products are being sold at low prices. “Gutka was being sold at cheap rates and the purpose of health care was getting defeated. Hence, the State banned it last year,” he said. The minister said that APL cards would soon be issued to enable people to avail themselves of the benefits under the Rajiv Arogya Bhagya scheme.