Nizamabad : A unique internship program aimed at connecting global youth with India’s grassroots healthcare systems was formally launched on Friday at Bridge Gap Hospitals (formerly Indur Cancer Hospital), Madhav Nagar, Nizamabad. Designed specifically for Indian-origin medical students from the United States, the initiative was inaugurated alongside a Free Cancer Screening Camp jointly organized by Grace Cancer Foundation and Bridge Gap Hospitals — the only rural community cancer hospital serving five districts in Northern Telangana.
Sri Potharaju Sai Chaitanya, IPS, Commissioner of Police, Nizamabad, served as the Chief Guest for the event. Guests of Honour included Mr. Shreeram Iyer, noted author and government policy advisor, and Mr. Varma Jampana, Director and Principal Architect at United Health Group, USA.
The Commissioner felicitated 12 Indian-origin medical students from the US, participating under the Bridging Borders internship program. The interns — Sanjay Cherukuri, Prisha Susanne Sunkavalli, Deena Pasumarthi, Abhiram Attili, Ananya Vakkalanka, Shamitha Jampana, Rachel Gujjarlapudi, Anjana Chepur, Maya Srinivasan, Leela Srinivasan, and Rahul Rajkumar — were commended for contributing to rural healthcare and global medical collaboration.
The Commissioner also unveiled the official poster for the 8th Global Grace Cancer Run, scheduled for October, which is expected to witness participation from over 1.5 lakh runners across 130 countries in a hybrid format (both online and in-person).
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner emphasized the importance of preventive healthcare and early detection in combating cancer. "No one knows the exact cause of cancer, but it’s often linked to lifestyle. The best weapon against it is early diagnosis and awareness," he said. He praised the tireless work of Dr. Chinnababu Sunkavalli and the Grace Cancer Foundation in making healthcare accessible to rural populations.
Over 200 individuals were screened during the camp for various health indicators including blood pressure, blood sugar, BMI, mammography, Pap smear, oral cancer, and ECG. The initiative drew wide participation and highlighted the urgent need for rural cancer awareness.
Dr. Chinnababu Sunkavalli, Founder of Grace Cancer Foundation and Senior Robotic Surgical Oncologist, hailed Bridging Borders as a landmark cross-continental program. “This is how we build a healthier, cancer-free India—from the grassroots,” he said. He also emphasized the critical role of preventive care and advocated for wider adoption of HPV vaccinations to prevent cervical cancer.
In a significant announcement, Dr. Chinnababu revealed that the Commissioner has proposed cancer screening for over 1,500 personnel within the Nizamabad Police Commissionerate — a project the Foundation will soon undertake.
Mr. Shreeram Iyer highlighted India’s healthcare ecosystem as a vital ground for skill development for aspiring doctors, while Mr. Varma Jampana reaffirmed his commitment to supporting Grace Cancer Foundation’s health and wellness initiatives.
Dr. Jeevan Rao, senior-most surgeon in Nizamabad, reiterated that early detection often leads to complete cure in many cancer cases. Several cancer survivors also shared heartfelt testimonies of their journey to recovery, stressing the life-saving power of timely screenings.
The launch of the internship and the screening camp together underscored a strong message: global collaboration and grassroots outreach are key to transforming rural healthcare in India.
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