Merck India, a leading science and technology company, has recently unveiled a strategic partnership with the esteemed Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre through the Umeed program. This initiative is designed to enhance access to cancer care, particularly for patients grappling with head & neck, and colorectal cancer. The Umeed Program adopts a multifaceted approach aimed at empowering patients, promoting awareness, and serving as a knowledge partner to healthcare professionals, with the overarching goal of instigating positive changes within the community.
The collaboration between Merck and the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre signifies a crucial step in the collective battle against cancer. By pooling resources and expertise, the partners aim to intensify awareness efforts and expedite access to treatment, both pivotal aspects in combating this disease effectively. The Medical Superintendent of the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre emphasized the importance of such collaborations in ensuring swift diagnosis and treatment, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and bolstering the chances of overcoming cancer.
As part of this partnership, Merck and the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre will prioritize raising awareness and educating communities in identified districts of Delhi about the signs, symptoms, timely diagnosis, and management of head & neck and colorectal cancer. Merck Healthcare will facilitate counseling and screening events for patients, alongside providing subsidized diagnostic assistance through various supporting programs.
Ms. Pratima Reddy, Country Speaker for Merck India & MD, Merck Specialties Pvt Ltd, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate under the Umeed campaign, underscoring their shared commitment to elevating cancer awareness in India. With the cancer burden escalating daily, their joint endeavor aims to offer a comprehensive program focusing on education, screening, timely diagnosis, and treatment access, ultimately making a tangible difference in the lives of affected individuals and families.
Aligned with Merck’s global aspirations, the company has set an ambitious goal to impact 80 million patients by 2030, particularly in Low-and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). This involves intensifying collaborative efforts to remove access barriers, expanding medicine availability, and expediting product launches, all aimed at driving global health equity and ensuring widespread access to life-saving treatments, particularly in the areas of head & neck, colorectal, and bladder cancers, along with thyroid disorders.