Rohtak PGIMS engages 100 female staff in fight against cervical cancer

In a proactive step towards women’s health, Pt BD Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak, has engaged 100 female employees, including nursing officers and Class III and IV staff, in a major cervical cancer awareness and screening drive.

As part of the initiative, all participants underwent Pap smear testing (a medical screening procedure used to detect abnormal cells in the cervix) and were also asked to act as community ambassadors, spreading awareness about cervical cancer prevention, early detection and the importance of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination.

Dr Pushpa Dahiya, senior professor and head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at PGIMS, said the participants would not only spread awareness among their families and neighbourhoods, but also motivate women to undergo regular screening to minimise the risk of this deadly disease.

“Empowering women with knowledge is a key strategy to reduce the burden of this preventable disease. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer globally, with India contributing to 42 per cent of global cases. It ranks as the second most common cancer among women in India, after breast cancer. Approximately 80 per cent of invasive cervical cancer cases are linked to HPV infection. Despite the availability of vaccines and screening tools, a significant number of Indian women are still diagnosed at an advanced stage, leading to increased morbidity and mortality,” said Dr Pushpa.

She added that to address this gap, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had launched the ‘90-70-90’ global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2030. The targets include 90 per cent of girls fully vaccinated against HPV by the age of 15, 70 per cent of women screened by the age of 35, and 90 per cent of those diagnosed receiving timely treatment.

Dr Vani Malhotra, professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, highlighted several persistent barriers to cervical cancer prevention and treatment in India. These include limited access to healthcare in rural areas, a shortage of trained medical personnel, stigma around reproductive health, financial constraints and deep-rooted cultural beliefs.

“In response, our department organised a cervical cancer screening camp under the ‘Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan’, and the campaign will continue in the future as well, in order to place women’s health at the heart of family and national progress,” said Dr Vani.

She added that Dr Vandana Bhuria, Dr Sonia Dahiya, Dr Ankita Yadav and Dr Himanshi were also actively involved in the campaign.