‘Bharavase’ Foundation: From medical camps to cancer prevention, Dr Padmini Prasad puts women’s health first
Bengaluru: More than 300 women benefited from a free health camp organised by the Bharavase Charitable Foundation in association with the Kaveri Education Society on October 17, as part of efforts to improve access to healthcare for rural women.
Held on the Kaveri Education Society premises, the camp offered health check-ups, medical consultations and awareness services, with a focus on the early detection of common health conditions and women-specific health concerns.
Screenings were conducted for blood pressure, diabetes and thyroid-related conditions. Medical advice and guidance were also provided to women on various health issues, while the importance of early diagnosis and timely treatment was highlighted.
Dr Padmini Prasad, founding president of the Bharavase Charitable Foundation, attended the programme. The initiative forms part of the foundation’s efforts to extend healthcare services to people from different sections of society, particularly rural and economically disadvantaged communities.
Geetha Uchil, managing director of the foundation, was also present and played a key role in organising the camp and coordinating its activities. Madhura Veena, IPS officer and Superintendent of Police in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), along with the president of the Anekal Physical Education Association, attended the event and extended their best wishes.
The camp received a positive response from participating women. The foundation said it would continue organising similar initiatives to improve healthcare access and awareness among underserved communities.
Beyond the clinic: Dr Padmini Prasad’s mission to make healthcare accessible to all
Dr Padmini Prasad, a renowned gynaecologist in South India, has carved a niche for herself in the medical field through her distinctive approach to healthcare. For several decades, she has travelled across Karnataka, organising medical camps and extending healthcare services to communities across the state. Viewing medicine as a social service rather than merely a profession, she has also been actively involved in creating health awareness among marginalised communities and young people through educational initiatives.
To further this mission, Dr Prasad established the ‘Bharavase’ Foundation, through which she provides medical solutions to health issues faced by adolescent girls. She has also launched special healthcare initiatives to address concerns surrounding cervical cancer among women. As part of these efforts, school and college students undergo cancer screening, with a focus on identifying early signs of the disease and ensuring timely treatment wherever necessary.
Over the years, Dr Prasad has helped lakhs of women access the HPV vaccine free of cost as part of her efforts to prevent cervical cancer. Even before the Union government launched its HPV vaccination campaign, she had been organising medical camps across Karnataka and providing the vaccine free of charge. Her sustained commitment to women’s healthcare and cancer prevention has earned her international recognition, making her a prominent figure in community-based medical service.
