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Reports
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Due to the pressures of every day work, organisations find it hard to stop and take stock of where they are vis-à-vis their goals. CPAA is no exception, and we are often unaware of the achievements of our co-workers. Recently, we took time to present the triumphs of 2001 for the benefit of our colleagues. Given below is a summary of the annual reports of our divisions as presented during the review meeting held on February 11th.
Mrinal Marathe presented
the Annual Report for the Patient Care department on behalf of her team,
Iva Athavia, Vinaya Chacko and Halima Aurangabadkar. The Patient care
department registered 400 new patients during the year 2001. Rs. 30.63
lakhs was disbursed. Ambulance services were availed by 1677 patients
including 145 long distance trips. 131 institution and home visits were
made. Diet supplements in the form of Complan and biscuits were given
to 1695 patients. 1355 patients were given clothes. A total of 7701 patients
underwent counseling at our cells at Tata Memorial (3340), Wadia (415),
Cama and Albless (302), Nair (306) Hospitals and Mahalaxmi (3338) centres.
The emphasis this year was on increasing quality rather than quantity. Neeta More presented
the annual report for the Diagnostics group consisting of Neeta More,
Jennifer Quadros, Kirti Dustakar, Minal Parab, Rupali Mahdik, Suraiya
Alvi, Sheeba T, Loise Fernandes, Ram Dhadwe, Anjali Liman, Deepak Tirlotkar,
Abhay Patil and Vishal Amesar. 15,901 individuals (5665 females and 10,236
males) were screened in 393 camps and OPDs during the year. 4138 cases
required follow up. 8962 pap smear tests were done. Since 1987, the department
has screened 1,13,951 individuals at 3,188 camps and clinics. 162 cases
of cancer have been detected. Since 1990 CPAA has supported the "Dysplasia
Clinic" at Cama and Albless Hospital. During the past year, the dedicated
team of Drs. Usha Saraiya, Laxmi Shah and Maya Lulla and Ms. Madhura Paraskar
and Nanda screened 2917 women out of which 27 women were detected with
cancer. 4 cases of cancer were detected at our camps, 5 cases during clinics
and 2 cases at CIP screening. Thus a total of 38 cases of cancer were
detected through our early detection activities this year. 33 camps for
women were organised for International Women's day all over Mumbai. 2007
women were covered and 2 cases of cancer were detected. This initiative
was well received by the participants, many of whom were having their
first medical check up. The women told us that they could avail of the
check up only because it was provided during working hours. World No Tobacco
Day was observed organising 30 ENT camps at various locations all over
Mumbai. This year an effort was made to analyse trends in tobacco abuse
among the 2564 participants. 1253 were found to be regular tobacco users.
27% take tobacco, 19% smoke cigarettes, 15% eat paan, 13% chew betel nut,
10% each use gutkha and masheri, 4% smoke bidis and 1% each use snuff
and tobacco toothpaste. Ms Manju Gupta of
the Rehabilitation Centre presented the annual report on behalf of her
team, Zulekha Sheikh, Benita Quadros, Ashwini Chalke, Rency Mathew and
Kalpana Parekh. The centre is now 12 years old and over the years has
added greatly to the prestige attached to the efforts of CPAA. Manju spoke
about their achievements in terms of Patient Benefits; Profitability for
the Organisation; Customer Satisfaction and Image Building. 28 new patients
were recruited, bringing the total number of people helped during the
year to 885. Rations worth Rs. 3,19,395 were distributed to 2646 patients,
Rs. 2,17,546 were paid as teachers' salary, Rs. 12,91,134 were paid as
patients' wages, Rs. 3,32,935 was utilized for patient care activities.
Each patients needs are analysed and help is given even up to advising
on alternative treatment. A patient from Bihar was given funds to start
a flower shop, an amputee was given a cycle, a widow from Parel was helped
with medical aid, Sudhakar Kadam's wife was given a job and a lady whose
daughter had developed AIDS was given special help. 64 patients were given
breast prosthesis. Our breast prosthesis has proved very popular, being
best suited to Indian conditions and is being given to patients at Breach
Candy, Prince Aly Khan and Tata Memorial Hospitals. Rajshree, wife of
a cancer patient, is in charge of stitching the prosthesis. The centre
has always aimed for self-sufficiency. It is a matter of pride that this
is the first year that they have broken even. This is due to the long
hours and hard work put in by all concerned in meeting quality requirements,
following deadlines, maintaining credibility, which has resulted in the
loyalty of our customers. The workforce comprises of people aged 10-80
years, with varying skills, coming from villages, towns and cities, everyone
facing a major life threatening issue. Even with the opening of a third
centre at Piramal Centre, conditions are cramped, facilities limited and
there is a lack of transport. Yet all the employees share a feeling of
camaraderie and the sense that they are fighting for a common goal. In
terms of feedback, customer satisfaction is evident from repeat orders.
Shubha Maudgal presented the annual report for CPAA's website, www.cpaaindia.org. The website was launched in November 1999 by Sunil Gavaskar at a function at Crossroads. It provides information about CPAA; it's activities; the cases we have helped; information on resources available from accommodation to wigs; answers to frequently asked questions such as regarding chemotherapy, radiation, bone marrow transplant; abstracts of research work done in the field of cancer which is updated every month; reports on our latest events and efforts. It provides a means of contacting our various locations from all over the world. Readers can ask to be sent brochures on Breast Self Examination, Anti-Gutkha stickers, Certificates for Free Screening at our centres, Tips on how to quit smoking. These have been mailed to countries from Azerbaijan to Zimbabwe. Every month appeals are raised for a patient requiring help. Award winning anti-smoking ads made by leading agencies are available online. A chat facility, which allows patients to reach doctors, CPAA representatives and survivors is sponsored by Orange. A payment gateway to allow donations using credit cards had been provided, but has been discontinued temporarily. It will be restarted shortly. The website attracts 1500 hits on an average every day. In the past year there have been 491 requests for information, 157 requests for the BSE brochure, 106 requests for Anti-gutkha stickers. The site boasts of a mailing list of 650 individuals who are sent the Monthly Report and the updated Clippings of research work done. The website transcends all borders and has allowed CPAA to participate in a study conducted by a college in the US directed towards Breast Cancer Prevention. CPAA figured prominently in Excerpta Medica's Kirin Information on Drugs and Science through a contact made over the website. The website has been a meeting ground, allowing second opinions of treatment being given, assistance for out of town patients, information on drug availability and many other matters. Cheque donation have been received from places are far apart as Japan, UAE and Canada. Links have been given from other sites including one from Rediff.com India's health channel. Mail has been received from Abu Dhabi, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Dubai, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Macau, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Singapore, US, UK and Zimbabwe. The concept of the internet is still in its infancy and the full benefits of the website are still to be realized, but CPAA has always been at the forefront of such new methods of reaching people who can benefit from our activities and the website is one such example. In the past year the hype about IT has abated and people were beginning to question the efficacy of the medium in fulfilling the initial promises made. In this regard, the leadership of Mr. Y. K. Sapru must be acknowledged. It is due to his confidence and support that the website continues to go from strength to strength. Alka Kapadia gave an overview of CPAA's achievements for the year. 11,110 persons were counseled at all our centres, 954 ward visits and 135 home visits were made, 10,888 diet supplements were given, 7532 patients availed of our information services, 2500 people used the ambulance, 50 awareness lectures were delivered, 15,901 healthy individuals were screened at 393 camps, 8962 pap smear tests, 285 mammograms and 497 ultrasounds tests were conducted. Financial aid to the tune of Rs. 59,54,706 was disbursed. The selfless work of Halima and Jenny at Tata Memorial Hospital is praiseworthy. They have been able to help patients by raising funds on their own. Halima has biscuits, sweets and good advice for everyone. Jenny has raised Rs. 1.25 lakhs. Her assistance has motivated many patients to complete treatment they might otherwise have left mid way. She felt that "Helping others is the rent we pay for living in this world." Similarly the efforts of volunteers such as Rupali, Smita, Katie and Sonali who gave of their time unstintingly were lauded. Smita presented the work she has done at the Radiation Centre at Tata Memorial Hospital which she attends every Tuesday and Thursday from 10am to 2pm. About 50 patients are counseled every week, given information about the treatment, its side effects and proper diet. Rupali and Smita were felicitated for the outstanding contribution they have made to CPAA activities. Mr. Y. K. Sapru concluded the session by commending each person's contribution and exhorting them to continue to perform with sympathy and feeling to those less fortunate. None of the work presented would have been possible without the dedicated efforts of the team of Fund Raisers, Indira Gurtu, Phul Mathur, Shailja Singh, Zakia Topiwala, Rekha Bilandani and Kavita Kulkarni. The work of Mrs. Zainab Allana and her group consisting of Mrs. Sushila Sawant, Mrs. Swati Kulkarni, Mrs. Jyotsna Sawant, Ms. Rouhie Matani, Mr. Laxmikant Naik, Mrs. Mani Irani and Ms. Sunita Sakpal was acknowledged. Administration plays an invaluable role in the smooth running of the organisation. The hard work of Gulshan, Jayshree, Avira and Victoria at Mahalaxmi and Medha and Josephine at Malhotra House was commended. The leadership of CPAA Secretary Silloo Jasdanwala and Joint Secretary Rekha Sapru was praised. Mr. Sapru ended by complimenting the working of all members who pull together as a team. Mrinal Marathe delivered a well-appreciated Awareness Lecture to a large group of women at Dombivli under the auspices of the Bramhan Sabha Mahila Samiti. She explained what cancer is, its signs and symptoms, treatment, prevention and psychological problems faced by patients. Women's cancers, breast and cervical, were covered in details. The slide show also explained the cellular aspects of how the disease develops. A question and answer session followed which addressed the doubts in the minds of the listeners. The programme was reported in the newspaper, "Tarun Bharat". Prevention and Early Detection
34 camps and OPDs were held during the month of January. Out of the 19 camps held, 4 were held at Maharashtra High School, Dadar; 2 each were organised for Odhav Nagar Plot Owners Welfare Society; BEST, Veej Bhavan; Annasaheb Vartak Trust and Congress House; AKJ, Jogeshwari; Pragati, Andheri; State Bank of India, Oshiwara and Mantralaya and one at Chemical Terminal Trombay Ltd. A total of 948 people, 415 males and 533 females were screened in the camps and clinics. 265 people were advised follow up. 15 OPDs and clinics were held during the month. 79 males and 153 females were screened. 60 people were advised follow up. A 52-year-old man, who was detected with cancer of the tonsillar fossa during a camp, is now undergoing treatment at Tata Memorial Hospital. Smt. Lila Kishanchand Shahani Clinical Diagnostic Centre The Smt. Lila Kishanchand Shahani Clinical Diagnostic Centre screened 340 persons during January. 1001 tests were performed, out of which 740 were pathology tests. 127 sonography, 95 x-ray and 39 mammography investigations were carried out including 31, which were done under the Well Women Clinic scheme.
During January, 117 people were examined, of whom 43 had come for the first check-up and 74 for renewal check up. 2 claims were settled and an amount of Rs 10,966 was disbursed. 99 claims have been settled to date. 29 policyholders have been found to have cancer since the inception of the policy, out of which 18 are surviving. At Smt. Panadevi Dalmia Cancer Management Centre A total of 649 patients were aided, counseled and given guidance at our locations in Mumbai-Srimati Panadevi Dalmia Cancer Management Centre; at Nair Hospital Radiation Centre; Cama & Albless, Wadia and Tata Memorial Hospitals. 178 patients availed of ambulance facilities, including 4 patients who availed of the stretcher service for long distance. 80 persons were given clothes, 30 packets of biscuits and 60 boxes of Complan and Feredol were distributed. 13 home and institutional visits were made. 4 of our patients expired during January. Donations amounting to Rs. 49,750 were collected. Rs. 3,17,555 was disbursed. At Tata Memorial Hospital: Room No. 189, Golden Jubilee Block 3396 patients were aided, guided and counseled by CPAA's Halima Aurangabadkar at Tata Memorial Hospital's Golden Jubilee Block Room No. 189 during January. 250 packets of biscuits were distributed. 81 patients were given clothes, 6 kgs of sweets were distributed. 8 referred cases were helped. 28 ward visits and 6 home visits were made. 12 patients were given medicines and toys were distributed to 15 children. 184 patients were given Complan and Horlicks. 211 patients utilized the ambulance facility including 24 for long distance travel. "Can I Help You?" CPAA’s Desk at Tata Memorial Hospital’s Private OPD Jhelped 814 patients during January, providing literature on various kinds of cancers to 221 patients and their family members, helping 169 in filling up registration and other forms and answering questions about the hospital for 286. 18 ward visits were made. 92 patients were counseled. As mentioned above, CPAA detected a case of cancer of the tonsillar fossa during a camp at Vasai. Every effort is made to help such patients throughout their treatment. This gentleman had spent a large sum of money during his wife's illness and expressed his inability to spend for his own. He had registered in the private category, which would have been prohibitively expensive for him. Jennie explained the situation and changed it to the general category. CPAA supported his radiation treatment at Nanavati Hospital, half of the expenses for which were raised by Jennie. It's no surprise then that Jennie was a special invitee at his daughter's wedding where she was introduced to all the guests.
At Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children 15 new patients were registered during the month of January. 268 patients attended follow up of whom 84 patients are undergoing chemotherapy. 25 patients were counseled and given guidance and Vinaya Chacko visited 6 patients in their wards. 3 group meetings were held. CPAA's Zakia Topiwala and a donor gave 40 children sweets, toys and biscuits. 180 bedsheets were distributed to the patients' families Palliative Care Unit at Tata Memorial Hospital CPAA's Mrinal Marathe counseled 40 patients, 21 males and 19 females during the month of January. There were 19 cases of head and neck and 5 cervical cancers, 4 cases of cancer of the abdomen, 1 case of breast cancer, 3 cases of lung cancer and 8 other cases of cancer. A disheveled old lady, accompanied by a well-dressed young woman visited the clinic one day. From the contrast in appearances, Mrinal thought that it was an employer with her maid-servant. Imagine her surprise when she realized that they were actually mother and daughter. The young lady was in tears because her in-laws did not allow her to take care of her mother who had sacrificed so much for her, bringing her up single-handedly after the death of her father. One night, she secretly walked out of her husband's house and went to her mother, but her mother sent her back telling her that she must abide with his wishes. Today she accompanies her mother for her visits to the clinic, lying to her in-laws in order to do so. Cancer causes many traumas, both physical and mental. One of the most hurtful is such a conflict between the maternal home and that of the husband when a daughter is torn between her filial duty and her responsibility to her marital home. Counseling at Tata Memorial Hospital’s Radiation Treatment Centre CPAA's Smita Khante visits the radiation centre at TMH every Tuesday and Thursday between 10am to 2pm to counsel patients regarding diet restrictions, care and cleanliness of the radiated part and boosting nutrition during radiation therapy. Patients are also given advice on accommodation and travel. 100 patients were counseled during the month. Counseling of Breast Cancer Patients at Tata Memorial Hospital Shubha Maudgal visited 140 breast cancer patients in the General, 20 patients in Semi-Private and 13 patients in the Private ward during the month of January. During recent visits, a shortcoming had become evident. A number of patients come from Bengal, Orissa and the far Eastern states of Meghalay, Manipur and Assam. These patients often do not understand any Hindi or English and need to be addressed either through their relatives or in sign language, which leaves a large margin of error in understanding. CPAA is very lucky to have attracted the involvement of Rati Dutta who speaks both Bengali and Gujarati. With her assistance, the counselors can now cover most of the languages spoken. Counseling at Cama & Albless Hospital Cancer Ward 41 patients were counseled and given guidance by Iva Athavia during January. Among these are 8 new patients. 12 patients were registered with CPAA. 33 ward visits were made. 10 patients were provided guidance regarding alternative therapy. 5 terminally ill patients were referred to Shanti Avedana Ashram. Rs. 11,578 was donated towards medicines and radiation costs. 25 patients were given boxes of Complan. Nair Hospital (Radiation Department) 80 patients were counseled and given guidance at the Counseling Cell at Nair Hospital Radiation Department by Iva Athavia during January out of which 25 were new patients. 12 ward visits were made. 3 terminally ill patients were referred to Shanti Avedana Ashram. 50 patients were given information about alternative forms of medicines. Rs. 23,237 was donated towards radiation treatment. 104 packets of biscuits and sweets were distributed. 3 boxes of clothes were donated. The Rehabilitation Centre adopted one new patient during January. A total of 69 patients were helped. 21 cases of mastectomy were attended and breast prostheses were provided. 245 patients were given rations worth Rs. 29,695. Rs. 19,265 was spent on teachers' salaries, for patient education and vocational training. Rs. 1 lakh was spent on patients' wages and Rs.22,456 was spent on welfare activities, conveyance and diet supplements.
Cancer
Patients Aid Association Monthly Review is compiled by Dr. Shubha Maudgal
and printed by Mr. Suresh Mishra at Saraswati Printing Press Please
write in with your comments to: Smt. Panadevi Dalmia Cancer Management
Centre, Anand Niketan, King George V Memorial, |
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Anita
Peter of the Cancer Insurance Policy (CIP) group made the first presentation.
From its inception in October 1994, 3110 individuals and 4672 employees
of 12 corporate bodies have registered under the CIP. 29 cases of cancer
have been detected, with 18 survivors. 97 claims have been settled to
date and Rs. 28 lakhs have been disbursed. Most people are surprised at
the low premium-the most popular option is a one time payment of Rs. 6300
which entitles the individual to Rs. 2 lakhs every year should they require
treatment for cancer. Most policies charge significantly higher sums every
year. The reason is that rather than the money, CPAA is interested in
motivating healthy individuals to come in voluntarily for regular cancer
screening. Before a registration is accepted, healthy persons desiring
to sign up must go through a check up. In the past 7 years, 17 cases of
cancer were detected at this stage, saving precious lives. The policy
provides for a non-mandatory free annual screening, which has 63% compliance.
The CIP group takes pride in the top class service rendered to policyholders.
Be it disbursement of claims in quick time or counseling of family members,
the team goes beyond the call of duty to ensure that the customer is satisfied.
The team becomes a surrogate family for the patient, following the principle
of "Total Management of Cancer" as embodied in CPAA's motto. Anita spoke
about a young girl, daughter of a brain tumour patient who was due to
get married. Seeing her father's condition, she wanted to postpone her
wedding, but was counseled by Anita to go ahead as planned. Her father
passed away shortly after the marriage, happy that he had been able to
witness his daughter's wedding day. Anita thanked New India Assurance
for their support and acknowledged the guidance of Alka Kapadia in her
own personal development. The CIP team is made up of Alka Kapadia, Gorethi
Rodrigues, Poonam Bhovar, Jyothi Dias, Manasi Talele, Raju Kamble and
Siddharth Badwe. 
In past years it was felt that resources were being stretched too thin
and as a result patients were not being helped effectively. Funds required
for blood cancer treatment are in the range of Rs. 2-3 lakhs and it was
felt that it was pointless to disburse small sums to such a patient. "The
Leukemia Group," 90% of which are children, was started, wherein a significant
amount of money is raised for any particular patient before they are registered.
Efforts were also made to address the problems of the extended family
of caregivers and to provide support, hope, information and guidance to
the largest number of patients possible. The involvement of our ambulance
drivers, Owen and Pandurang must be praised. A small patient in Thane
would refuse to drink his milk until Owen Uncle came to give it to him.
Halima Aurangabadkar's efforts at Tata were applauded. In her quiet and
unobtrusive way, she has made a name for herself among the poorer patients
for her no-nonsense yet sympathetic outlook. New counseling cells have
been set up at Cama and Albless and Nair Hospitals due to the perseverance
of Iva Athavia who worked hard to get the required permissions and space.
Existing cells at Tata have taken a larger shape through the efforts of
volunteers, Rupali, Smita, Katie and Sonali as well as Mrinal, Jennie
and Shubha. Vinaya's work at Wadia came in for favourable mention, as
did Alka's playgroup at Ernest Borges Home. A Breast Cancer Support Group
has been formed with the training and active support of Drs. I. Mittra
and R. Badwe at Tata Memorial Hospital. The Patient Care department intends
to provide information on prostheses, wigs, diet, exercise and yoga to
this group in future. A number of donations were arranged through CPAA's
intervention. Mr. A.D. Shah of Rotary Club, Thane (West) gave an Aquaguard
water purifier to Cama and Albless Hospital. Mr. Merchant of Morarji Shivji
Sanatorium donated an ophthalmic autoscope for Nair Hospital. Ms. Shubhra
Debnath, an 18-year-old ALL patient was given a harmonium by Mr. Deepak
Bhimani of Navdeep Chemicals. Mr. Mukund Kamble received a popcorn machine
from Ms. Purnima Choksi and Mr. H.K. Mittal. A number of events and celebrity
get-togethers were organised for the patients. Rose day was celebrated
on 22nd September in the form of a mela at Mahalaxmi. Parties were held
for Diwali and Christmas. Outings at Pawan Hans helicopters and on board
the INS Vikrant were arranged. Gifts, toys, sheets, towels and toiletries
were distributed on many occasions. 
Neeta
pointed out the steadily increasing number of healthy individuals who
have been motivated to get screened; in fact the number has doubled in
the past 5 years. A great deal of importance is given to follow up of
cases showing precancerous conditions. Detected cases are given any support
they may need during their treatment at Tata Memorial Hospital. Neeta
was asked to participate in Doordarshan Sahyadri's programme "Hello Sakhi"
which gives direct telecast to remote rural areas of Maharashtra, Gujarat
and Goa. The programme generated so much interest that she was subsequently
invited two more times. Neeta acknowledged the contribution of Ms. Viji
Venkatesh, Alka Kapadia, Dr. Shashi Bakre, panel doctors and her colleagues
for the success of the department. She made special mention of Ms. Valsa
Peter and the team at the Naigaon Clinic whose tireless work has contributed
hugely to the activities of the department. 
It
has been recognised that while the first order may be given out of sympathy,
if the material supplied does not meet the customer's expectations, the
customer is unlikely to come back. The Taj group continues to source their
linen from the Rehab Centre. This year The Bombay Stores have started
stocking our items at all their outlets. 217 top pharmaceutical companies
are our valued customers. Manju related a very special feedback given
by a patient who was fitted with breast prosthesis. Zarine was our first
customer, a shy and quiet lady of few words. When she was leaving, she
told Manju, "I like you very much. I think I love you. You know, I wish
you were my neighbour." These few words spoken from the heart are just
the feedback the centre desires. Manju acknowledged the generous donations
in terms of time given by celebrities, Tina Ambani, who sponsors the annual
Diwali party; Akshay Kumar, who offered to donate Rs. 5 lakhs per year.
Future projects include Rehabilitation of 50 cured leprosy patients under
the Bombay Leprosy Project and setting up a 10-bed hospice for terminally
ill patients for which she made an appeal for funds. Manju concluded by
thanking Mr. Y K Sapru for his guidance over the years.