Achievement

The ATHIJEEVANAM project was implemented by the Nileshwar block panchayath with the technical support of Community oncology Department of Malabar cancer centre. The objective of the project is to empower every panchayath in the block in cancer control activities.

Stages

1. Coordination committee meeting for project framework formation
2. Block panchayath level meeting for project discussion
3. The meeting was attended by people’s representatives of all levels of local self governments and representatives from Malabar cancer centre.
4. Formation of resource centres at panchayath level -Resource centre provide awareness, screening, information and facilitation services
5. Selection of nurses in charge of resource centre
6. Block Panchayath level work shop for nurses in charge of resource centre
7. They were given training in general cancer awareness and specific hands on training in breast, cervical and oral cancer screening and tobacco cessation activities.
8. Initiation of awareness activities at panchayath level
9. Implementation of cancer prevention activities in the community
10. Initiation of community registry at panchayath level for documenting cancer cases in the panchayath.
11. Installation of e-palliative care

Block Panchayath 

1. Block panchayath played the main role in the project. 
2. They were responsible for the implementation of the project and played a leadership role in formation of the resource centre and recruitment of nurses
3. They assisted MCC in the formation and maintenance of community cancer registry by providing supporting personnel and funding support.
4. Arrangement and coordination of project meeting and follow up workshops and quarterly review meetings.
5. Printing and distribution of IEC materials including printing of newsletter of anti tobacco cell of MCC.

Malabar Cancer Centre 

MCC provided technical support for the project- like training of nurses in oral breast and cervical cancer screening ,  tobacco cessation activities ,  treatment and health related schemes available in MCC , printing of IEC materials, guidance  for setting up of resource centre ,initiating community registry and analysis of the data and submission of report and advice on strategic intervention . MCC also arranged a help desk for facilitation and addressing treatment needs of patients from the panchayaths under the block panchayath and their cancer related grievances.

Panchayath

Created a project coordination team at panchayath level, provided space and related amenities for starting of resource centre, recruitment of resource nurse, setting up of community cancer registry for recording information on cancer cases in the panchayath, setting up of e palliative care , cooperation and support for cancer awareness activities and involvement of educational institutions in the program especially tobacco control program

Potential resource centres:were established at Neeleswar and Trikkaripur

1. PHC/CHC
2. Taluk Hospital
3. Palliative care centres

Resource centre /nurse conducted the following activities

1. Cancer screening –oral, breast and cervix
2. Tobacco cessation activities
3. Cancer awareness programs
4. Community cancer registry activities-already published data from Kasargode
5. Providing counseling and guidance for newly detected cancer cases
6. Ensuring treatment and follow up of cancer patients
7. Maintaining records
8. Referral services to MCC

Development of Resource Centre at Thrikkaripur and Neeleswar

The nurse and the doctor were provided training in MCC and in the community level activities of MCC on cancer prevention , early detection ,screening of cancer, tobacco cessation activities and training in E-palliative care

They were empowered to carry out the following activities

A] To set up Early Cancer Detection centers in each Panchayath
B] To organize cancer screening camps and cancer awareness program in the Panchayath periodically –at least twice in a year with the help of MCC
C] To distribute pamphlets and information on cancer, cancer prevention to general public.
D] to set up tobacco cessation clinic
E] Implementation of E-palliative care

Elected representatives 

Coordinated activities at resource centre, implemented community cancer registry at ward level in each panchayath

Conclusion

With the involvement of all sectors under an enthusiastic Block President and the community, the project was a great success in terms of cancer awareness activities, establishment of a successfully  running ECDC clinics, conducting camps even in rural areas, establishing a community registry and E-palliative facility for palliative care and thus fulfilling all the main objectives of the project.