Panvel Civic Body Screens 266 Women for Cervical Cancer at Free Health Camp

Panvel Civic Body Screens 266 Women for Cervical Cancer; Health Camps Held Across Navi Mumbai Areas

Panvel Municipal Corporation conducted a free women's health camp under Seva Sankalp Abhiyan 2026, providing Pap smear tests to 266 women. The initiative also covered screenings for diabetes, hypertension, breast cancer and several other health conditions, with additional camps planned in Kalamboli, Kamothe and Kharghar.

Panvel: The Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) organised a free health camp for women on Wednesday as part of its Seva Sankalp Abhiyan 2026, during which 266 women underwent Pap smear tests for cervical cancer screening.

The programme was jointly conducted by the civic body's Women and Child Welfare Department and Medical Health Department at D.B. Patil School in Panvel, under Ward D. Mamta Pritam Mhatre, chairperson of the Women and Child Welfare Committee, inaugurated the camp.

The initiative aimed to make essential healthcare services and diagnostic facilities more accessible to women. Participants received medical consultations for various conditions, including joint and knee pain, swelling or numbness in the limbs, nerve-related complaints, and pain affecting the neck, back and lower back.

A wide range of screening and diagnostic services was also made available at the venue. These included tests for high blood pressure, diabetes, eye and dental problems, breast, cervical and oral cancers, anaemia and sickle-cell disease.

The camp further offered antenatal examinations, vaccination, blood tests, haemoglobin checks and tuberculosis screening. Women could also access testing for infectious diseases such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya and leptospirosis.

Special attention to women's health

Speaking about the initiative, Mamta Pritam Mhatre highlighted the importance of addressing health concerns frequently experienced by women, particularly those above the age of 40. She noted that joint pain and rheumatic conditions were among the commonly reported complaints.

Mhatre said the camp was intended to help women obtain medical advice and access several healthcare services at a single location. She also encouraged women to participate in similar programmes organised by the municipal corporation.

Ward D Committee Chairman Ajay Bahira reiterated the civic body's commitment to improving healthcare facilities. He also pointed to the PMC's recently established laboratory as part of its efforts to strengthen local diagnostic services.

Bahira said women who faced difficulties accessing private laboratories could approach the municipal corporation's urban primary healthcare centres for diagnostic testing.

266 women receive Pap smear tests

Cervical cancer screening was a key component of the health initiative, with 266 women undergoing Pap smear tests during the programme. Other attendees benefited from the medical consultations, examinations and diagnostic facilities available at the camp.

Municipal members Preeti George, Snehal Dhamale, Shweta Bahira and Priyanka Kandpile also visited the venue during the programme.

The camp was organised under the guidance of Municipal Commissioner Mangesh Chitale. Chief Medical Officer Dr Anand Gosavi, Tuberculosis Officer Dr Usha Rathod, and medical officers Dr Rehana Mujawar, Dr Manisha Chandak, Dr Suresh Pandit and Dr Bhaktaraaj Bhoite attended the event along with civic officials and personnel from the urban primary healthcare centres.

More free medical camps scheduled

As part of the wider Seva Sankalp Abhiyan 2026, the PMC announced additional health camps in neighbouring areas. According to the announced schedule, a camp was planned in Kalamboli on October 8, followed by Kamothe on October 9 and Kharghar on October 10.

The initiative is intended to extend access to preventive healthcare, screening and medical guidance to more women across the Panvel municipal area.

Note: A Pap smear is a screening test used to identify abnormal cervical cells; it does not, by itself, confirm a cervical cancer diagnosis.