In a significant step towards strengthening health awareness and bridging critical information gaps in the North East, Manipal Hospital EM Bypass, a unit of one of India’s leading healthcare providers, successfully conducted ‘Anveshana – Medical Education for Media’ at the Arunachal Press Club today. The initiative brought together leading specialists and members of the media for an interactive session focused on improving health literacy, encouraging early diagnosis, and enhancing emergency response preparedness across the region. The programme also marked the unveiling of the Media Privilege Card and included a hands-on CPR training session, reinforcing the importance of timely intervention in life-threatening situations. The initiative aims to empower media professionals with accurate medical knowledge, enabling them to play a more impactful role in disseminating credible health information to communities across Arunachal Pradesh and the wider North East. The North Eastern region, including Arunachal Pradesh, is witnessing a growing need for early diagnosis and specialised care across conditions such as cancer, trauma, and blood disorders. Bridging this gap, Manipal Hospitals in Kolkata offers seamless access to advanced treatment and expert care, reducing the need for patients to travel to distant cities in the North or South for quality healthcare. Through Anveshana, the initiative aims to empower the media to drive informed healthcare decisions and connect communities to the right care at the right time.
The session featured insights from leading specialists including Dr. Kinshuk Chatterjee, Consultant – Surgical Oncology; Dr. Kaustav Debnath, Consultant – Orthopaedic Surgery; Dr. Raja Majumder, Consultant – Emergency Medicine; and Dr. Chirasree Sanyal, Consultant – Clinical Haematology from Manipal Hospital EM Bypass. Each expert highlighted key health concerns prevalent in the region while simplifying complex medical information for better public understanding. Speaking on the rising burden of cancer and the importance of early detection, Dr. Kinshuk Chatterjee, Consultant – Surgical Oncology, said,““Cancer incidence in the North East is among the highest in India, with certain states reporting rates nearly 1.5 to 2 times the national average. What is particularly concerning is that over 60–70% of cases are diagnosed at advanced stages, significantly reducing survival outcomes. With timely screening and early diagnosis, many cancers are highly treatable. Through Anveshana, we aim to equip the media with the right knowledge to drive awareness around early symptoms, risk factors, and the importance of regular screenings.” Addressing the often-overlooked burden of blood disorders, Dr. Chirasree Sanyal, Consultant – Clinical Haematology, noted,“Haematological conditions such as anaemia affect a significant proportion of the population, with studies suggesting prevalence rates of over 50% among women in certain regions. Additionally, disorders related to clotting and blood cancers often go undetected due to lack of awareness and access to specialised diagnostics. Early detection through simple blood tests can play a crucial role in preventing complications and improving patient outcomes.”
Highlighting the growing incidence of musculoskeletal issues and trauma-related injuries, Dr. Kaustav Debnath, Consultant – Orthopaedic Surgery, added, “With changing lifestyles and increasing road traffic incidents, orthopaedic conditions are becoming more common across the region. Early intervention, proper rehabilitation, and awareness about bone health are crucial. Educating people through the media can significantly reduce long-term disability and improve quality of life. At Manipal Hospital EM Bypass, we have also completed over 1,000 total knee replacement (TKR) surgeries in 2025, while offering a one-stop solution for robotics and advanced, high-end complex surgeries, ensuring patients have access to cutting-edge care closer to home.” Emphasizing the importance of emergency response and life-saving interventions, Dr. Raja Majumder, Consultant – Emergency Medicine, said,“In cases like cardiac arrest, survival chances decrease by nearly 7–10% with every minute of delay in initiating CPR. Unfortunately, bystander CPR awareness remains below 10% in many parts of India. This gap highlights the urgent need for community-level training. By equipping media professionals with these critical skills, we are taking a step towards creating a more informed and responsive society where timely action can save lives.” Rooted in the idea of “seeking and discovering,”Anveshana reflects Manipal Hospitals’ commitment to responsible health communication, community engagement, and capacity building. The initiative has been successfully conducted across multiple cities and states including Tamluk, Contai, Bardhaman, Jamshedpur, Aizawl, Malda, Dinajpur, and Darjeeling, and now extends its impact to Arunachal Pradesh. Through such initiatives, Manipal Hospitals continues to strengthen its presence in the North East, ensuring that communities in remote and underserved regions have access to accurate health information, timely medical guidance, and advanced care pathways. By empowering the media with the right knowledge, the hospital group aims to create a ripple effect of awareness, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes across the region.
