Punjab Health Minister launches vaccination drive against cervical cancer
State aims to become cervical cancer-free, says Dr Balbir Singh
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Friday launched a state-level Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination campaign against cervical cancer.
The campaign was formally inaugurated at Mata Kaushalya Hospital here, marking the beginning of a statewide awareness and immunisation drive aimed at protecting young girls from the life-threatening disease.
Addressing a gathering, Dr Balbir Singh said cervical cancer was one of the most serious cancers affecting women and occurred in the lower part of the uterus. The primary cause of the disease is the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). He emphasised that timely vaccination has proven to be highly effective in preventing illness.
Dr Balbir Singh appealed to parents to ensure that their daughters receive the HPV vaccine so that they remain protected from the deadly disease. “If our daughters are safe, only then our future generations will be safe,” he said.
Providing details, Dr Aditi Salaria, Director, Family Welfare Department, said the vaccine would be administered to girls, who have completed 14 years of age but have not turned 15 yet. She added that eligible beneficiaries would be vaccinated at 253 centres across Punjab.
She said prior registration on the U-WIN portal was mandatory before vaccination, making the entire process digital and transparent.
The campaign was symbolically launched by vaccinating 16 girls.
According to Health Department officials, the drive will be conducted across the state and staff will ensure adherence to all safety protocols during vaccination sessions. The government’s long-term goal, they said, was to make Punjab a cervical cancer-free state.
Among those present on the occasion were Director, National Health Mission, Dr Balwinder Kaur; State Immunisation Officer Dr Manju; Civil Surgeon Dr Jaswinder Singh; Medical Superintendent Dr Sanjeev Kamra; District Immunisation Officer Dr Kushaldeep Kaur Gill and other senior officials of the department.
