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.

The record followed a special community health initiative held on World Piles Day, November 20, 2025, during which 352 eligible participants underwent anorectal screenings.

Organised in Pune, Maharashtra, the initiative combined a large-scale free anorectal screening drive with an extensive awareness campaign encouraging people to seek timely medical intervention for conditions such as piles, fissures and fistulas — health issues that often go untreated due to stigma, lack of awareness and delayed diagnosis.

Healing Hands Foundation, working in collaboration with 12 partner organisations, conducted community outreach programmes across rural and semi-urban regions of Pune district, distributing more than 20,000 awareness materials and educating people on the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

The screening drive itself was conducted at the Healing Hands Clinic in Pune Station by a multidisciplinary team of 60 healthcare professionals and volunteers, who worked continuously over 12 hours to manage patient registration, clinical assessments, video proctoscopy, counselling, medicine distribution and infection-control protocols.

The drive also surfaced notable health trends among participants. More than 27% were senior citizens aged 60 and above, nearly 80% reported chronic constipation, and around 60% experienced bloating or abdominal discomfort. 

The findings point to a persistent lack of awareness around anorectal disorders, with many individuals delaying diagnosis and treatment until symptoms significantly affect their quality of life.

Dr. Snehal Porwal, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Healing Hands Clinic, noted that the initiative demonstrated how making specialised healthcare accessible through awareness, outreach and compassionate care makes people far more willing to prioritise their health, adding that every screening represented an opportunity for early diagnosis, timely treatment and a better quality of life.

Dr. Ashwin Porwal, Founder and Colorectal Surgeon at Healing Hands Group, said the recognition is not just about setting a world record but about drawing national attention to anorectal health, an area that remains overlooked due to stigma and lack of awareness. 

Between November 20, 2025, and July 2026, 339 patients sought treatment through HHF's inpatient and outpatient services as a direct result of these efforts, including 96 inpatient cases. Of these, 215 were male and 124 were female, reflecting meaningful reach across genders.