In Bhutan, breast cancer is often diagnosed at a late stage because of several barriers, including long wait times and a lack of equipment.
However, surgical oncologist Prabhat Pradhan said this is changing. In 2024, Max and its partners donated core needle biopsy instruments to Bhutan. They were then supplied to all eight district hospitals where surgeons are located. This allows women to undergo biopsies closer to home, saving them both time and out-of-pocket expenses.
“This has significantly improved treatment completion rates, and it will definitely have a positive impact on long-term survival for women with breast cancer,” Dr. Pradhan said. “Our goal of early detection and timely treatment – ultimately saving lives – is becoming a reality.”
This impact on the community is one of the reasons Dr. Pradhan became a physician. He works at the JDW National Referral Hospital, specializing in gastrointestinal and breast cancer.
“I chose this challenging profession because I realized it is one of the few fields where I can actually add days to the lives of cancer patients – if we act at the right time – thereby saving a family and, in many ways, the community at large,” he said.
Dr. Pradhan said there is more work ahead to help families in Bhutan. That includes raising awareness in many parts of the country, encouraging women to seek screening regularly, and expanding screening facilities. It’s also important to provide continued training and support to surgeons working in district hospitals.
“Nonetheless, we, the people of Bhutan, are deeply grateful to The Max Foundation for providing the core needle biopsy [instruments] , which have brought meaningful improvements for both healthcare providers and the patients we serve,” he said. “You have brought services closer to our communities. We are hopeful and pray for your continued support in the years to come.”
The Max Foundation is a leading global health nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating health equity. For 28 years, Max has pioneered practical, scalable, high-quality solutions to bring life-extending treatments and patient-centered health care to more than 100,000 people living with cancer and critical illness in low- and middle-income countries. Max believes in a world where all people can access high-impact medicines, where geography is not destiny, and where everyone can strive for health with dignity and with hope.
Every year our South Asia team organizes 15–20 meetings that unite hundreds of the patients we serve, their families, caregivers, and physicians. These meetings provide a safe and comfortable platform for everyone to share their insights and learn from each other’s experiences with cancer.
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