Manipal Hospital Dhakuria, a division of Manipal Hospital Group, one of India’s biggest healthcare providers, held a special Men’s Health Awareness Session to raise awareness of important health issues affecting men, with an emphasis on mental health and problems connected to the prostate. By promoting early diagnosis, emotional transparency, and educated decision-making among patients and families, the event sought to break the taboo around men’s health issues.

The programme was conducted by Dr. Bastab Ghosh, Senior Consultant – Urology and Uro-Oncology, Ms. Sahely Ganguly, Consultant – Clinical Psychologist at Manipal Hospital Dhakuria, and Mr. Dilip Kumar Roy, Hospital Director, Manipal Hospital, Dhakuria.

Despite mounting evidence of the disease load, men’s health in India is frequently overlooked. Nearly 60% of Indian males put off getting medical care, according to studies, mostly because of shame, ignorance, and putting family obligations first. Nearly one in six men over 50 suffers from prostate diseases, with many cases only discovered at advanced stages, according to current national health statistics. Furthermore, polls reveal that more than 40% of males are reluctant to discuss mental health issues, indicating that emotional suffering among men frequently remains unreported. Delays in treatment, an increased risk of complications, and a greater caregiver load are the outcomes of this communication breakdown.

To help men identify symptoms early and seek prompt intervention, the Men’s Health Awareness program promotes dialogue, early screening, and psychological openness.

Mr. Dilip Kumar Roy gave a welcome speech at the start of the session, emphasizing the importance of shifting attention to timely and preventative healthcare for males.

Three people who had prostate surgery under Dr. Bastab Ghosh’s care—Pranab Sarkar, Bidyut Roy, and Rajesh Bhattacharya—also shared their moving stories during the discussion. They gave succinct accounts of their journey from early symptoms to recovery, emphasizing how Dr. Ghosh’s prompt intervention and sympathetic advice restored their confidence and well-being. For anyone dealing with comparable issues, their experiences served as a reminder of the value of early screening and expert-led care.

The discussion was further enhanced by a segment devoted to patient-to-patient interactions, in which participants talked about how they initially recognized symptoms, who they sought assistance from, the role of their families, the emotional strain they experienced after receiving a diagnosis, and the changes they underwent following treatment. This open dialogue promoted peer support, emotional comfort, and shared learning, assisting participants in realizing that, despite the difficulties, their journeys were never lonely.

Senior citizens from the neighborhood asked questions about screening frequency, lifestyle modifications after treatment, emotional counseling, long-term side effects, and family support during the program’s lively Q&A session. Experts gave guests clear instructions and reassured them that proactive health consultations can greatly enhance both physical healing and mental resilience when combined with open communication and transparency.

Priyanka Dutta