Strengthening compassionate cancer care through knowledge, collaboration, and frontline leadership.

The Tata Institute of Social Sciences, in collaboration with the National Health Authority, successfully concluded the 60-hour Training Programme on Psycho-Social Support and Basic Oncology for Arogya Mitras under the PM-JAY scheme on 15 May 2026.

A formal Certification Ceremony held on 16 May 2026 recognised the dedication and commitment of 31 Arogya Mitras representing seven districts of Maharashtra. Shri Samuel V Pachuau (IFS, Joint Director, National Health Authority (NHA)), who attended the event as Chief Guest, highlighted the critical role of Arogya Mitras in supporting patients and families navigating cancer care settings, while also emphasising the importance of emotional well-being and self-care among frontline healthcare facilitators.

Dr. Dayanand Jagtap (Dy. Chief Executive Officer, State Health Authority, Maharashtra) also attended the programme and reinforced the significance of such capacity-building initiatives in strengthening healthcare services across the state.

Supported by Pfizer Limited as part of its CSR initiative, the programme reflected a collaborative effort towards strengthening patient-centred healthcare delivery under Ayushman Bharat. Representatives from Pfizer Limited, including Mr. Sharad Goswami and Ms. Sneha Senapati, were also present during the ceremony.

The Project Leads — Prof. Bipin Jojo (Dean, School of Social Work), Dr. Saigita Chitturu, and Dr. Lata Das (Chairperson, Centre for Lifelong Learning (CLL-SSW)) — expressed gratitude to all partners and participants for their dedication towards building compassionate, informed, and inclusive healthcare support systems.

By integrating psychosocial support with foundational oncology knowledge, the initiative has further strengthened the capacities of frontline professionals to provide empathetic and informed support to individuals and families navigating cancer care journeys.

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