Delhi State Cancer Institute’s PANKH initiative takes cancer awareness beyond hospital walls


East Delhi | Report: Arun Sharma

In a pioneering step toward building a healthier and more informed future, the Delhi State Cancer Institute (DSCI) has taken cancer awareness directly into school classrooms through its unique outreach programme, “Cancer Hospital @ School with PANKH.” The initiative aims to sensitise students at an early age about cancer prevention, early detection and the importance of a healthy lifestyle.


Launched nearly a year ago, the programme has already reached over a dozen government schools in Delhi, benefiting thousands of students. The core objective is simple yet powerful—empower children with knowledge so they can make informed health choices for themselves and influence their families and communities.


PANKH: A Message of Knowledge and Hope
The acronym PANKH reflects the spirit of the campaign:
P – Prevention, A – Awareness, N – Nutrition, K – Knowledge, H – Hope.
Under the banner DSCI @ School with PANKH, the initiative seeks to give children the “wings” of awareness to safeguard their future health.


From Vision to Action
The concept was envisioned by Dr. Pankaj Tyagi, Associate Professor (Gastroenterology), DSCI. The programme is being effectively implemented by Ms. Ranjana Kumari, PR Executive, DSCI, who coordinates with schools and ensures smooth execution with senior faculty members and doctors conducting interactive sessions.


“Laying the Foundation for a Healthier Future”
Praising the initiative, Dr. Vinod Kumar, Director, DSCI, said,
“This is an innovative effort where a hospital reaches schools to lay the foundation of a healthier, wiser and brighter future. The entire cancer awareness team deserves appreciation, and I thank the participating schools for their cooperation.”


Focus on Lifestyle-Based Prevention
Targeting students from Classes 6 to 12, the sessions cover various aspects of cancer, with special emphasis on lifestyle-related and preventable cancers. Dr. Shambhavi Sharma, Assistant Professor (Clinical Oncology), explained that discussions focus on cancers that can be prevented through hygiene, balanced nutrition, healthy habits and protection from harmful radiation and ultraviolet exposure.


Dialogue That Educates
Each school visit is conducted by a dedicated team of three to four faculty members, involving doctors from multiple departments. Students are educated about the prevention of cervical, head and neck, breast, lung and liver cancers, followed by interactive Q&A sessions where they can directly engage with medical experts.


Expanding the Reach
According to Dr. Pankaj Tyagi, the programme aims to cover two to three schools every month. DSCI plans to expand the initiative from the current 12 schools to 25–30 schools annually, ensuring that cancer awareness becomes an integral part of early education.

By taking cancer education beyond hospital corridors and into classrooms, DSCI’s PANKH initiative is not just spreading awareness—it is inspiring a generation to take charge of its health, armed with knowledge, responsibility and hope.