Dr P Raghuram, renowned surgeon and Founder of Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation, made his space in the Guinness Book of World Records for the second time when he empowered over 11, 000 people within 24 hours with the knowledge of breast cancer
It is second time in a row that Dr P Raghuram, renowned surgeon and Founder of Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation achieved a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. Dr Raghuram, who is the Founding Director of KIMS Usha Lakshmi Centre for Breast Disease, began his crusade against the deadly disease in Hyderabad.
With 200,000 new cases being diagnosed every year & 100,000 deaths per annum, for every two women diagnosed with breast cancer, one succumbs to this dreaded disease in India.
Recognising the gravity of the disease and the lack of awareness, Dr Raguram in addition to establishing an exclusive centre has been working continuously to educate people. For years now, he has been organising breast cancer awareness programmes and encouraging people to test regularly.
A few days ago the Padma Shri awardee conduced an online Breast Cancer Awareness session empowering 5020 people with knowledge on various aspects of the disease in simple to understand format. This found a place in the prestigious Guinness Book.
Following the success of the first session, Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation and KIMS-USHALAKSHMI Centre for Breast Diseases based out of Hyderabad along with Brahma Kumaris achieved a second new Guinness World Record title for “Highest views of a Breast Cancer Awareness lesson on YouTube in 24 hours”. A record 6218 people from across the world have viewed this Guinness World record Presentation on YouTube & benefited from this historic and landmark empowerment drive.
Presenting the Guinness World Record (GWR) at KIMS Hospitals, Mr Rishi Nath, the Asia Pacific Adjudicator for this Record Event complimented Dr Raghu Ram for his lucid Presentation for over 40 minutes.
Former Vice President of India, Venkaiah Naidu, who was the Chief Guest at the World Record Presentation ceremony shares, “Dr Raghu Ram has been championing an inspiring breast cancer advocacy campaign in the Telugu States for the past many years. He has been driving an awareness campaign on the importance of EARLY DETECTION of breast cancer through a number of innovative initiatives. Many of Dr. Raghu Ram’s initiatives, including a large scale population-based breast cancer screening programme spread across 4000 villages in both Telugu states has paved the path for early detection, translating to saving scores of lives in the region. I commend Dr Raghu Ram for his pioneering work both as a surgeon dedicated to management of breast cancer & other non-cancer breast health issues in addition to spearheading several landmark initiatives that have transformed breast cancer care in India.”
On the occasion Dr Raghu Ram spoke about his mother. “I dedicate this recognition to my mother, Dr Ushalakshmi, a Breast Cancer “Conqueror” who left this world 5 months ago. She was the major inspiration behind this innovative and impactful Breast Cancer advocacy campaign at Brahma Kumaris. Due to lack of awareness, absence of a robust population based Screening Programme and inequitable cancer care, more than 60% of Breast Cancers in India present in advanced stages. I have made an earnest endeavour to address the ‘taboo’ issue’ surrounding the disease and empowered women about the importance of Early Detection, which is pivotal to saving lives.”
Addressing the gathering, Dr B. Bhaskar Rao, Chairman, KIMS Group of Hospitals said “I commend Dr Raghu Ram for achieving yet another milestone in his career that he pursues with passion and single-minded devotion. As we celebrate 50 positively eventful years celebrating the remarkable achievements of women world over, we must not forget that a Woman is the Nerve Centre for the family. If she is well, the family would be well. It is the bounden duty of men to ensure that their near and dear get an annual Screening Mammogram, if they are 40 years and over.”
Rich tributes were paid to Dr P Raghu Ram by Mr K. Padmanabhaiah, Chairman, ASCI. He said“ I have watched Dr Raghu Ram over the past 15 years with great admiration. His love for his mother and motherland brought him back to India and he has been working with missionary zeal over the past 18 years to improve breast cancer care in the country through a number of innovative initiatives. I wish him even more power and look forward to him achieving many more milestones in his selfless service to the nation”
