(Press Release)- Bengaluru, 02.01.23 - Aster CMI Hospital, a leading healthcare provider in the community, hosted a public gathering on February 2nd, 2023 to celebrate World Cancer Day and raise awareness about the disease. The event was held at the hospital and featured the actress Ms. Samyukta Hornad as the guest of honor. Asha Workers, NGOs, RWAs, Students, Social Workers, Women's Club were amongst the attendees. They also inaugurated the International Centre of Excellence in Robotic Surgery & Stoma Care Clinic. This event provided an opportunity for individuals to learn about cancer, the importance of early detection, and the resources available to those affected by the disease.

The public gathering was free and open to the public. It featured several guest speakers including cancer survivors, medical professionals, and advocates who shared their experiences and knowledge about the disease. Attendees also had the opportunity to participate in interactive activities and engage with educational resources.

“Cancer is a global health issue that affects millions of people every year,” said Dr. Nitish Shetty, Regional Director - Aster Hospitals, Karnataka & Maharashtra, “We believe it’s our responsibility to educate and raise awareness about this disease in our community, and what better way to do that than to bring people together on World Cancer Day.”

Ms. Samyukta Hornad, Indian actress, said "Cancer is not just a physical battle, it's a mental one too. There are so many myths and misconceptions surrounding the disease, but the truth is, early self-screening, diagnosis, and proper treatment can increase the chances of a cure. Don't let fear and misinformation hold you back from taking control of your health. Your life is worth fighting for."

Speaking on the importance of cancer awareness, Prof. Dr. Somashekhar S P, Chairman - Medical Advisory Board, Aster DM Healthcare - GCC & India, Global Director - Aster International Institute of Oncology - GCC & India, Lead Consultant - Surgical & Gynaecological Oncology & Robotic Surgeon, HIPEC & PIPAC Super-specialist, Aster CMI Hospital said "Bridging the cancer care gap is one of the biggest challenges in our field. But with advancements in technology and the availability of all super specialities and expertise under one roof, we are now able to provide comprehensive and personalized care to our patients. We believe that every patient deserves access to the best possible treatment and our goal is to make that a reality. The future of cancer care is constantly evolving, and we are proud to be at the forefront of these advancements."

Commenting on the event, Dr. C N Patil, HOD and Lead Consultant - Medical Oncology & Haemato-Oncology, Aster CMI Hospital said "Chemotherapy has come a long way since its inception. In the past, it was seen as a one-size-fits-all approach to cancer treatment, but now we understand that every patient and every cancer is unique. With the advent of personalized medicine and targeted therapies, we are able to tailor treatment plans specifically for each patient, leading to improved outcomes and a better quality of life."

Speaking about the initiative, Mr. Ramesh Kumar S, CEO of Aster CMI Hospital said "Today marks a significant milestone for our hospital as we launch our initiative to provide advanced treatment and care under the AIIO umbrella in the Bangalore cluster. Our goal is to support the people in this community by offering the latest in medical technology and treatments, combined with a compassionate and patient-centered approach. We are proud to be a leader in healthcare and are committed to improving the lives of those in need."

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New Delhi, Nov 26: The National Anti-Doping Agency on Tuesday suspended Bajrang Punia for four years for his refusal to provide his sample for dope test on March 10 during selection trials for the national team.

NADA had first suspended the Tokyo Games bronze medallist wrestler on April 23 for the offence following which, the World Governing body UWW had also suspended him.

Bajrang had appealed against the provisional suspension and NADA’s Anti-Disciplinary Doping panel (ADDP) had revoked it on May 31 till NADA issues the notice of charge.

NADA, then on June 23 served the notice to the wrestler.

Bajrang, who joined Congress along with fellow wrestler Vinesh Phogat and was given charge of All India Kisan Congress, had challenged the charge on July 11 in a written submission following which hearings were held on September 20 and October 4.

"The Panel holds that the Athlete is liable for sanctions under Article 10.3.1 and liable for ineligibility for a period of 4 years," the ADDP said in its order.

The suspension means that Bajrang will not be able to return to competitive wrestling and apply for a coaching job abroad, if he aspires to.

"In the present case, since the Athlete had been provisionally suspended, the Panel accordingly holds that the Athlete’s period of his ineligibility for the period of 4 years shall commence from the date on which the notification was sent, i.e., 23.04.2024.

"Needless to say that on account of the lifting of the provisional suspension for the period from 31.05.2024 to 21.06.2024 shall not be credited into the total period of ineligibility of four years."

Bajrang has maintained since the beginning that he was given extremely prejudicial and unfair treatment with respect to doping control because of his involvement in the protest against former WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

Bajrang also maintained that he never refused to give sample but only demanded to know NADA’s response to his email where he sought answer why expired kits were sent to take his samples in December 2023.

NADA also explained the reason for its action, saying that the Chaperone/DCO had duly approached him and informed that he was required to provide a urine sample for dope analysis purposes.

Bajrang in his written submission said that the conduct of NADA in two previous instances had created mistrust in the athlete's mind, especially with NADA failing to acknowledge or even respond to their callous approach towards the doping control process in both such instances, the failure to take responsibility for their action pertaining to their dispersal of duties meant that the athlete was morally bound to take a stance in resort as a senior athlete who holds a voice in the sporting community.

Bajrang also said "it was not an outright refusal per se. The athlete was always willing to provide his sample provided that he first received a response from NADA concerning the use of expired kits."

However NADA said, "the outright refusal by the athlete to provide urine sample for the dope test was intentional and deliberate" and that "Athlete has demonstrated utter disregard towards his duties and responsibilities as per Articles 20.1 & 20.2 of the Anti Doping Rules, 2021."