In the hilly terrains of Mizoram, access to specialized healthcare remains a significant challenge—especially for women in remote tribal communities. Taboos, geographical isolation, and limited resources have created deep gaps in preventive health services, particularly for non-communicable diseases like cancer. Project Punarnava: Mizoram, an initiative by The WE Foundation, steps in to bridge these gaps with dignity, compassion, and a data-driven approach.
Implemented across select districts of Mizoram, the project takes a two-phase route to reach the women most in need. In Phase 1, our teams have initiated home-to-home digital health assessments and community-based screening camps, focusing on identifying women at potential risk of serious illnesses. Trained health workers visit villages and hamlets nestled in the hills, checking vital signs such as blood pressure, blood sugar, hemoglobin, height, weight, and BMI, while also documenting basic medical histories through mobile-based digital platforms. Every woman is counseled, and those presenting signs of concern are flagged for the next phase.
Phase 2 brings vital cancer screenings directly to the doorstep of these high-need populations. Targeting over 2,500 medium and high-risk women, the project is organizing a series of localized cancer screening camps. These camps focus on cervical cancer (using VIA or Pap smear), ovarian cancer (via CA-125 blood testing), and breast cancer (through Clinical Breast Examinations). To ensure accessibility and trust, the camps are held in partnership with local healthcare workers, women’s groups, and community leaders.
Recognizing the logistical challenges in Mizoram’s landscape, Project Punarnava also integrates a robust referral mechanism. Women who require further diagnostics or treatment are supported with referrals to government hospitals and private partners. Transport arrangements and continued follow-up ensure that screening translates into timely care and not just a diagnosis. Follow-up visits and calls from trained community counselors help bridge any gap in service or trust.
Women here have long been excluded from specialized health services due to systemic neglect. But with Project Punarnava, that tide is beginning to turn—one health checkup, one camp, and one woman at a time.
Breaking Barriers, Restoring Dignity — Women’s Health in Aizawl
In Aizawl, the capital city of Mizoram, women’s healthcare is often sidelined due to cultural stigma, lack of access to specialized services, and geographical barriers. Despite significant progress in other sectors, many women still face challenges in accessing crucial health screenings, especially for life-threatening conditions such as cancer. Project Punarnava: Mizoram, an initiative by The WE Foundation, is working to break down these barriers and provide women in Aizawl with the care they deserve.
This project is being implemented in two strategic phases, beginning with Phase 1, where our teams conduct home-to-home digital health assessments and community-based screening camps. These screenings focus on assessing basic health vitals—blood pressure, blood glucose, hemoglobin levels, height, weight, and BMI—using mobile health tools for efficient data collection. Our teams of trained healthcare workers go door-to-door in Aizawl, ensuring that women from all walks of life receive attention. Those identified as high-risk are flagged for further intervention in Phase 2, creating an actionable pathway for care.
Phase 2 is the cornerstone of Project Punarnava. Over 2,500 women who are at medium or high risk, based on the Phase 1 health assessments, will be invited to attend targeted cancer screening camps. These camps, set up in accessible community centers across Aizawl, will offer cervical cancer screenings through VIA or Pap smear tests, ovarian cancer screening through CA-125 blood tests, and breast cancer screening through Clinical Breast Examinations (CBE). These services will be conducted by trained female healthcare professionals, ensuring both comfort and confidentiality for the women involved.
To maximize the impact of these screenings, the project includes a robust referral system. Women who require additional diagnostic tests or treatment will be referred to Aizawl Hospital and other nearby medical facilities. Transportation support and follow-up visits from community health workers ensure that the women receive continuous care and guidance throughout their treatment journey.
Project Punarnava: Mizoram is aligned with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). By combining innovative technology, strong community collaboration, and compassionate care, the project aims to bridge the healthcare gap for women in Aizawl, ensuring early detection and better health outcomes.
In a region where healthcare for women has been historically overlooked, Project Punarnava: Mizoram is making a powerful difference, one health screening at a time.