Staff Reporter.TOD.Balurghat
In a significant public health initiative aimed at preventing cervical cancer among women, the newly elected BJP-led government in West Bengal on Saturday formally inaugurated a statewide programme to provide the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine free of cost.
The programme was ceremonially launched in Kolkata by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari through a virtual inaugural event, marking what health officials described as a major step toward strengthening preventive healthcare for adolescent girls and reducing the burden of cervical cancer in the state.
The HPV vaccine is widely regarded as one of the most effective preventive tools against cervical cancer, a disease primarily caused by persistent infection with the Human Papillomavirus. Medical experts say the vaccine can significantly reduce the risk of cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases when administered at the recommended age.Under the programme, eligible beneficiaries will receive the vaccine free of charge through government healthcare institutions.
At the Balurghat District Hospital in South Dinajpur, local officials participated virtually in the inauguration ceremony. Present on the occasion were District Magistrate Balasubramanian T, the Chief Medical Officer of Health, and legislators from Balurghat, Tapan, Gangarampur and Kushmandi Assembly constituencies — Bidyut Kumar Roy, Budhrai Tudu, Satyendranath Roy, and Tapas Chandra Roy, respectively.
Officials described the initiative as a proactive intervention in women’s health, emphasizing that awareness, timely screening, and vaccination remain critical in the fight against cervical cancer.The launch is expected to expand access to preventive healthcare services, particularly in rural districts, where early intervention and awareness programmes are often limited.
0 Comments