New Delhi, March 6: Union Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda emphasized India’s strong commitment to eliminating cervical cancer as a public health issue during a virtual press briefing at the World Health Organization headquarters. He highlighted the need for global cooperation to tackle serious health challenges.
Nadda reiterated that women’s health and dignity remain a national priority for India. He reaffirmed the country’s unwavering commitment to protecting women from preventable diseases like cervical cancer.
Addressing the comprehensive strategy to combat this disease, he noted that cervical cancer poses a significant public health challenge both globally and in India. Consequently, the Indian government has adopted a multi-faceted approach focused on prevention, screening, early detection, and timely treatment.
A key pillar of India’s strategy has been the expansion of population-based screening programs under the National Non-Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Program (NP-NCD), implemented as part of comprehensive primary health services. Visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) for cervical cancer screening is now available for women aged 30 to 65 at Ayushman Health Centers and various health facilities across the country.
Nadda reported that over 86 million women have been screened for cervical cancer under this program, reflecting India’s ongoing commitment to early detection and prevention.
He announced a significant achievement in the fight against cervical cancer: the launch of a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated this national HPV vaccination initiative on February 28, aiming to vaccinate 12 million girls aged 14 years. This marks a crucial step towards safeguarding the health and well-being of adolescents.
The campaign will run for 90 days, providing a dose of the Gardasil quadrivalent vaccine, as recommended by the World Health Organization and India’s National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI). The vaccine will be available free of charge at designated government health centers.
Emphasizing the community-centered nature of this initiative, Nadda stated that the HPV vaccination program is voluntary, requiring parental consent, which respects community values and family autonomy.
He acknowledged the vital role played by frontline health workers in reaching communities, building trust, and ensuring the successful implementation of the campaign.
Nadda affirmed India’s full support for the World Health Organization’s global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer, actively collaborating towards the 90-70-90 targets set for 2030.
He stressed that a comprehensive approach integrating vaccination for adolescents, population-based screening for adult women, and timely access to quality treatment is essential to achieve elimination goals.
In closing, Nadda called for robust global cooperation to eradicate cervical cancer as a public health issue.
During the briefing, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted several serious global health challenges, including obesity, HIV/AIDS, and cervical cancer, emphasizing the importance of continued global collaboration and scientific innovation to address these public health issues.
Discussing the global fight against HIV/AIDS, Dr. Tedros noted significant progress in reducing the global burden of this disease. He also mentioned that WHO has supported nine countries in implementing HIV prevention measures, strengthening global efforts to combat the pandemic.
On the topic of cervical cancer, Dr. Tedros pointed out that the recently celebrated International HPV Awareness Day serves as a crucial reminder of the global commitment to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health issue.
He reiterated the importance of the WHO’s 90-70-90 global targets for 2030, aimed at ensuring that 90% of girls are vaccinated against HPV, 70% of women are screened for cervical cancer, and 90% of women receive appropriate treatment.
Dr. Tedros commended India’s commitment to addressing cervical cancer through comprehensive public health initiatives. He praised the nationwide HPV vaccination campaign launched by Prime Minister Modi, calling it the world’s largest free HPV vaccination program.
He stated that approximately 12 million adolescent girls will be vaccinated annually under this program, marking a significant step towards protecting future generations from cervical cancer.
Highlighting the burden of this disease, Dr. Tedros noted that over 80,000 women in India die from cervical cancer each year, with around 42,000 new cases reported annually, underscoring the importance of preventive measures like HPV vaccination and early screening.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for bold and transformative initiatives from countries to eliminate cervical cancer and advance women’s health globally.
My name is Himanshu Tiwari. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
Leave a Comment