Haryana Health Minister, Ms. Arti Singh Rao, urged people to ensure that adolescent girls receive the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to protect them from cervical cancer. She said that this vaccine is being administered free of cost.
The Minister said this while listening to public grievances from across the state in Chandigarh. She said that the government will administer this vaccine to approximately 3 lakh adolescent girls in the state.
The initiative aims to ensure the health and safety of young girls. She further said that Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini had launched the HPV vaccination programme in Haryana on February 28.
The vaccine provides protection against HPV types 16 and 18, which are the primary causes of cervical cancer, as well as types 6 and 11. The target beneficiaries are girls who have completed 14 years of age but are below 15 years.
The Minister said cervical cancer originates in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus, and is mainly caused by long-term infection with HPV. HPV-16 and HPV-18 types are particularly dangerous.
Factors such as smoking, early marriage and pregnancy, multiple childbirths, and a weakened immune system increase the risk. She directed the concerned officers to ensure that all medical and paramedical staff confirm that adolescents are not on an empty stomach at the time of vaccination.
It was also emphasised that OTP-based or written consent from parents or guardians must be obtained before vaccination. Ms. Arti Singh Rao said the state government is continuously working to improve women’s health and reduce the incidence and mortality rate of cervical cancer.
She added that several steps are being taken to strengthen awareness, timely screening, and access to better treatment facilities. The Minister reiterated that the government aims to ensure timely diagnosis and proper treatment for every woman, to eliminate cervical cancer at its root.