Healing Hands Foundation Sets Guinness World Record with 352 Anorectal Screenings in 12 Hours
Pune : Healing Hands Foundation, a leading colorectal healthcare organisation, has been officially recognised by Guinness World Records for achieving the title of the most people signing up for an anorectal screening in 12 hours, following a special community health initiative held on World Piles Day (November 20, 2025). During the 12-hour screening drive, 352 eligible participants underwent anorectal screenings, earning the Foundation the prestigious world record.
Organised in Pune, Maharashtra, the initiative combined a large-scale free anorectal screening drive with an extensive awareness campaign aimed at encouraging people to seek timely medical intervention for conditions such as piles, fissures and fistulas, health issues that often remain untreated due to stigma, lack of awareness and delayed diagnosis.
Healing Hands Foundation, in collaboration with 12 organisations, conducted community outreach programmes across rural and semi-urban regions of Pune district, distributing over 20,000 awareness materials and educating people on the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
The screening drive was conducted at the Healing Hands Clinic, Pune Station, by a multidisciplinary team of 60 healthcare professionals and volunteers, who worked continuously over 12 hours while ensuring seamless patient registration, clinical assessments, video proctoscopy, counselling, medicine distribution and infection-control protocols.
The screening drive also revealed significant health concerns among participants. Over 27% were senior citizens aged 60 years and above, nearly 80% reported chronic constipation, and around 60% experienced bloating or abdominal discomfort. The findings highlight a persistent lack of awareness around anorectal disorders, with many individuals’ delaying diagnosis and treatment until symptoms significantly affect their quality of life.
Commenting on the achievement, Dr Snehal Porwal, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Healing Hands Clinic, said, “Receiving a Guinness World Records title is a proud milestone for all of us, but the real achievement lies in encouraging hundreds of people to overcome hesitation and seek timely medical care for conditions they had silently endured. This initiative demonstrated that when specialised healthcare is made accessible through awareness, outreach and compassionate care, people are far more willing to prioritise their health. Every screening was an opportunity for early diagnosis, timely treatment and a better quality of life.”
Dr. Ashwin Porwal, Founder and Colorectal Surgeon, Healing Hands Group, added: “This recognition is not just about setting a world record, it is about drawing national attention to anorectal health, an area that continues to be overlooked due to stigma and lack of awareness. At Healing Hands Foundation, our mission is to take specialised anorectal care beyond hospitals and into communities through awareness, preventive screening and early intervention. We hope this initiative encourages more people to speak openly about anorectal health, seek timely treatment, and help break the stigma surrounding these conditions.”
The Guinness World Records recognition marks another milestone in Healing Hands Foundation’s ongoing efforts to improve awareness, promote preventive healthcare and expand access to specialised anorectal care across India. This initiative has already contributed to a measurable rise in public engagement, including increased awareness-driven enquiries, higher participation in screening and consultation programs and a growing number of individuals seeking early diagnosis and treatment.
The impact of these efforts is reflected in 339 patients who sought treatment through HHF’s IPD and OPD services between 20 November 2025 and July 2026—including 96 IPD patients. This measurable increase in treatment-seeking demonstrates how sustained awareness efforts can translate into greater public engagement and a willingness to seek timely medical care for anorectal conditions that are frequently overlooked due to stigma, embarrassment or lack of awareness. With 124 female and 215 male patients accessing care during this period, the initiative has demonstrated meaningful reach across genders. By combining community outreach with clinical excellence, the Foundation continues to encourage early diagnosis and timely intervention for conditions that significantly affect quality of life but often remain neglected.
