Report on HPV Health Camp in Shirali
By Chaitanya Gulvāḍy, Dharmaprachāraka, Shrī Chitrāpur Mat͟h
॥ Oṁ Shrī Gurubhyo Namaḥ॥
The incidence of Cancer of the Cervix, has been rising all over the country. The high reproductivity rate, early age marriages, hygiene related issues, migrant labour, especially among rural women, have all contributed to this increase of Cervical Cancer among women. The presence of the Human Papilloma Virus or HPV, which is transmitted through sexual contact, increases the tendency to develop Cervical Cancer. Early detection of the HPV Virus through Self-Test Kits and subsequent treatment, can prevent the onset of Cancer. The incidence of Cervical cancer has dropped drastically in the West due to early screening for HPV and treatment.
Dr. Amembal̃ Madhur mām, retired Medical Administrator, KEM Hospital, Puṇe presented a proposal to H.H. Shrīmat Sadyojāt Shaṅkarāshram Swāmījī during His camp at Kārlā. This proposal detailed conducting a camp for HPV Screening in Shirālī for rural women, to reduce the incidence of Cervical Cancer. The camp would be spearheaded by IShare, an NGO from Puṇe headed by a group of committed Doctors, experienced in conducting health checkups / Cancer / Renal screening camps, especially in rural communities. Self-Test Kits would be provided at concessional rates by the reputed Puṇe based GenePath Labs and the samples would be tested by them. H.H. Swāmījī immediately consented to the proposal and gave His Blessings. Very soon the plan was put into action. The Shivir would be conducted under the aegis of the Shrī Chitrāpur Mat͟h Charitable Trust, which would bear the entire cost of the Shivir and the kits. A Logistics team was formed under Dr. Madhur Amembal̃, comprising Dr. Chaitanya Gulvāḍy, Dr. Sunaynā Paḍbidrī- Gynaecologist, Kumta, Smt. Kumbl̃e Sheelā pāchī who headed the Parimochan project and Shrī Kumbl̃e Kishore mām, General Manager, Shrī Chitrāpur Mat͟h, Shirālī.
It was proposed that the ladies of the Parimochan project and from the local community, between the ages of 30 to 60 years would be invited to this Mahilā Swāsthya Shivir, to be conducted on Sunday, the 14th of December 2025 in the premises of the Srīvalī School in Shirālī, between 9.30 a.m and 5 p.m. The Management of Shrī Chitrāpur Mat͟h under Shrī Kumbl̃e Kishore mām began to roll out the arrangements.
Since this checkup was a Self-Test of their reproductive organs to be carried out by the women themselves, who were from a shy, modest, rural, mostly illiterate agricultural community, their participation, required them to be informed, and reassured about the testing and its benefits. An Awareness Session by Dr. Sunaynā Paḍbidrī was conducted in the Parijñānāshram Sabhāgṛha on 24th November 2025 for the ladies of the community. Dr. Sunaynā speaking in chaste Kannaḍa with a simple but powerful Power Point presentation, explained to the assembled ladies, the purpose of the camp, the procedures involved in the testing and its benefits. A large number of ladies from the Parimochan Project and the local community attended this session.
The arrangements for the Mahilā Shivir then began in earnest. The School Principal Smt. Mamatā Devāḍigā also supported the camp with the support and cooperation of the teachers. The Srīvalī School Assembly Hall would be the venue for the Mahilā Swāsthya HPV Shivir. Adequate publicity was given to the Shivir by the Mat͟h Management and circulars were sent to ladies in Shirālī whilst Sheelā pāchī individually contacted all the eligible women of the Parimochan Project. Separate enclosures were created in the Assembly Hall, for the testing process so that the women could undergo the testing in absolute privacy.
The Logistics team headed by Dr. Amembal̃ Madhur mām arrived in advance at Shirālī. The volunteers from IShare & GenePath Labs also arrived with an abundant stock of the Self-Test HPV Kits. Banners and posters of the organisations involved were displayed in the Srīvalī School Assembly Hall. Volunteers from the Mat͟h and local community, were invited to participate and support the Shivir. A meeting of volunteers was conducted in one of the Srīvalī School classrooms on the previous day to explain the procedure especially for the Registration and Checkups. The Mat͟h Management also made arrangements for snacks and soft drinks for the ladies attending the shivir. IShare also arranged for some volunteers from The Family Planning Associations of Kumṭā & Bhaṭkal to support the registration and checkup process.
The day of the Mahilā Swāsthya Shivir dawned and all the team members reached the School Hall with excitement but a mild apprehension whether the shy, rural women would come to the Shivir and get tested. A slow stream of mildly apprehensive women began entering the Hall and very soon bloomed into a crowd seated in the Assembly Hall. The Shivir commenced with the traditional Sabhā Prārambha Prārthanā and the Dīpa Prajwālana to the chants of ‘Dīpo Jyotir Parabrahma....”. The sacred lamp was lit by Dr. Madhur mām, Dr. Sunaynā pāchī, Dr. Chaitanya, Sheelā pāchī and Smt. Mamatā pāchī. After a brief welcome address by Sheelā pāchī, Dr. Sunaynā pāchī once again explained to the assembled ladies in chaste Kannaḍa, the need for this Preventive Cervical Cancer HPV check-up, the procedure for the Self-Test and the benefits of the same. Soon the ladies queued up for registration which was followed by handing over the Self-Test Kits. The volunteers gently explained to all the women the process of Self Testing, during the registration. The women then walked hesitatingly into the enclosed enclosures for the Self Testing. After their tests were done, the samples were handed over to the team of volunteers which stored the samples at required temperature in the special kits.
The ladies continued to stream in all day and finally at the end of the day 251 ladies had undergone the testing. It was a very satisfying experience for all the team members and the volunteers. The team was deeply grateful to H.H. Swāmījī for His Blessings and Support throughout the Shivir. The HPV Test samples were carried to the GenePath Labs, Puṇe for testing and the results arrived after two weeks. Around ten women had tested Positive whilst the rest were Negative.
The process continues. With the support of the Mat͟h, the HPV Positive women would be contacted and counselled by Dr. Sunaynā Paḍbidrī and referred to the Gynaecology Department of the Kasturbā Hospital, Maṇipāl. They will also be provided logistical and financial support by the Mat͟h as per requirement. The women will undergo the Colposcopy procedure to check for any lesions which would be treated by a preventive Therma Abrasion procedure to prevent the development of Cervical Cancer. The rest of the women who tested Negative are being contacted by Kumbl̃e Sheelā pāchī and informed about their results and the need to repeat this check-up after five years.
Indeed, it was the vision, love and concern of the Gurushakti for the devotees in the local communities, which enabled the success of the Mahilā Swāsthya HPV Shivir for women in and around Shirālī. We are indebted to Dr. Amembal̃ Madhur mām who initiated this Mahilā Swāsthya Shivir. Also, to the Shrī Chitrāpur Mat͟h Charitable Trust for the logistics support and bearing the entire cost of the Shivir. Deep gratitude to IShare and GenePath Labs, Family Planning Associations of Kumṭā & Bhaṭkal and their employees for supporting this project. We are also greatly appreciative of all the support and cooperation given by Srīvalī School and its teachers. Lastly a heartfelt vote of thanks to all the volunteers from Shirālī who greatly helped in the successful conduct of the camp. This will go a long way in improving the health of women and reducing the incidence of Cervical Cancer mortalities in this rural community.
the Power Point presentation
on HPV and Cervical Cancer
Dr Sunayna Padbidri. Seated left to right
GenePath Lab volunteers, Smt Sheela Kumble,
Dr Madhur Amembal, Smt Mamata Devadiga
Seated left to right Smt Mamata Devadiga,
Shri Sanjay Kabad- SCM, Dr Vidya FPAI,
Dr Sunayna Padbidri, Dr Madhur Amembal.
