Gleneagles Hospital Chennai launches Sakhi

Gleneagles Hospital Chennai, a part of Fortis Healthcare, today inaugurated Sakhi, a Comprehensive Breast Care Clinic; a dedicated centre designed to deliver integrated breast health services ranging from screening and diagnosis to advanced treatment and reconstruction. The clinic was inaugurated in the presence of Chief Guest Kalaimamani Ms Nalini, acclaimed Indian actress. Senior leadership present included Dr Balaji Ramani, Director, Gleneagles Institute of Oncology, Ms S Niranjani, Chief Operating Officer and Hospital Head, and Mr R Y Bharath Kanth Reddy, Chief Executive Officer, Chennai and Hyderabad Cluster, along with the multidisciplinary oncology team. Sakhi has been conceptualised as a comprehensive, one stop breast clinic addressing the full spectrum of breast health, not only breast cancer but also benign breast conditions, screening, preventive care and post treatment rehabilitation. The centre brings together surgical oncology, radiation oncology, medical oncology and advanced diagnostics, under a single coordinated pathway to enable faster decision making and improved patient experience. The Sakhi clinic will function across OPD hours with access to multidisciplinary oncology teams and state-of-the-art diagnostics, positioning it as a comprehensive destination for preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic breast care. As part of the launch initiative, the hospital is also conducting breast screening programmes for underserved communities, reinforcing the importance of awareness and early detection. To mark the launch of Sakhi, a Comprehensive Breast Care Clinic at Gleneagles Hospital Chennai, free mammogram screening was provided to the 10 non-affordable Individuals i and Patients will also receive a 50% discount on mammograms and free consultations till March 31, 2026. The clinic is equipped with advanced diagnostic capabilities including 3D mammography, tomosynthesis and stereotactic biopsies that support early detection and accurate diagnosis. The care pathway is designed to enable streamlined evaluation, with select assessments and reports available within shorter timelines where clinically appropriate. Breast conservation surgery, oncoplastic reconstruction and multidisciplinary treatment planning form a core focus of the clinic, enabling personalised care across disease stages while prioritising quality of life. “Breast care today requires a multidisciplinary and personalised approach. With Sakhi, patients can move seamlessly from screening and diagnosis to treatment planning, breast conservation surgery and reconstruction within a coordinated care pathway. Our focus is on early detection, precision diagnostics and treatment approaches that preserve both outcomes and quality of life, said Dr Balaji Ramani, Director, Gleneagles Institute of Oncology. “Breast cancer remains a major public health concern, with one in 28 Indian women at risk of developing the disease. Nearly 60 percent of cases in India are diagnosed at a later stage, while incidence is rising among younger urban women. With early detection, survival can exceed 90 percent, and Sakhi has been designed to enable timely screening, faster diagnosis and integrated breast care,” pointed out Ms S Niranjani, Chief Operating Officer and Hospital Head. Mr R Y Bharath Kanth Reddy, Chief Executive Officer, Chennai and Hyderabad Cluster said, “Breast cancer continues to represent a significant and growing healthcare burden, with close to 200,000 new cases and nearly 100,000 deaths reported annually in India.” “The launch of Sakhi reflects our focus on building specialised centres that respond to this need through integrated care models. By bringing screening, diagnostics and treatment together, we aim to improve early detection, treatment timelines and overall patient outcomes,” he added. Mr Anil Vinayak, Group COO, Fortis Healthcare said, "The launch of the Sakhi Comprehensive Breast Care Clinic at Gleneagles Hospital Chennai embodies this approach — bringing together advanced technology, integrated multidisciplinary care, and compassionate support for women across every stage of their breast health journey. Our aim is to make high-quality, timely and personalised breast care more accessible, empowering women through awareness and early detection" Dr. Sunitha Jayarani, Consultant Breast Oncologist, emphasized the one-day, one-stop nature of Sakhi, the comprehensive breast clinic. Dr. N.S. Vimaladittan, Clinical Lead in Surgical Oncology, elaborated on methods of breast conservation, Dr. Azmi Saundarya, Clinical Lead in Radiation Oncology, highlighted short-course, five-day radiation techniques. Dr. Arun Ramanan, Clinical Lead in Medical Oncology, discussed AI-based prognostic molecular testing, enabling chemotherapy-free treatment for select patients.