Overview: Punya Foundation Incorporated, in partnership with key community and health organisations across Australia, is launching the Supporting People with Cancer project titled Engaging and Empowering the Emerging Nepali-speaking Bhutanese and Nepali Migrant Communities through Community Consultative Services for Better Cancer Outcomes. The initiative aims to improve cancer awareness, early detection, and equitable access to care among Australia’s fast-growing Nepali-speaking population. The project is sponsored by Cancer Australia.
Aim and Context: The project addresses key barriers that affect cancer screening and treatment, including limited English proficiency, low health literacy, and cultural differences. Although Nepali is the tenth most spoken language other than English in Australia, awareness of cancer prevention and access to culturally appropriate services remain limited. This project seeks to bridge these gaps through inclusive community engagement, bilingual resource development, and culturally responsive education programs.
Objectives and Approach: Key objectives include co-designing bilingual (Nepali and English) cancer education resources and delivering up to fifteen community sessions across Australia. These resources and workshops aim to improve understanding of cancer screening, reduce stigma, and strengthen communication between health professionals and Nepali-speaking clients. An evaluation report will summarise outcomes, lessons learned, and recommendations for future initiatives.
Community Engagement and Partnerships: Community participation is central to this project. Advisory and governance groups comprising Punya Foundation representatives, cancer survivors, community leaders, and health professionals guide all activities to ensure cultural and ethical integrity. Partner organisations include several community organisations of migrants speaking Nepali language, academic and health care institutes and organisations that are actively supporting outreach and implementation efforts.
Activities and Timeline: Since August 2025, the project has established governance structures and begun stakeholder consultations. Focus group discussions will continue into early 2026 to identify community needs and preferred communication methods. Beginning March 2026, a series of community workshops will be held nationwide, reaching at least 75 participants. Feedback from these sessions will help refine approaches, with the final report due by September 2026.
Outcomes and Sustainability: Expected outcomes include a 70 percent increase in awareness of cancer screening services, a 50 percent rise in screening participation, improved practitioner confidence in working with Nepali-speaking clients, and a measurable reduction in stigma. Evaluation will involve surveys, attendance data, and participant interviews. To sustain long-term impact, the project will train peer educators, integrate cancer awareness into cultural festivals, and make bilingual resources available online and through community centres.
Conclusion: By combining community leadership, healthcare expertise, and academic collaboration, Punya Foundation’s initiative empowers Nepali-speaking individuals to take active roles in cancer prevention, early detection, and care. The project promotes health equity, inclusion, and wellbeing, ensuring lasting benefits for the Nepali-speaking migrant community across Australia.