Bhubaneswar, February 28 Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday said that over 3.36 lakh girls aged between 14 and 15 years in the state will benefit from the vaccination campaign aimed at preventing infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) virus.
Majhi said this while inaugurating the state-wide vaccination program after Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally launched it in Ajmer, Rajasthan.
Majhi stated that this vaccination campaign is not just a routine program, but its aim is to make women healthy and empowered. He added that approximately 3.36 lakh girls aged between 14 and 15 in Odisha will be vaccinated over a period of three months.
This vaccine has initially been made available at community health centers, sub-divisional hospitals, and district headquarters hospitals. In the second month, it will be extended to primary health centers. The chief minister said that the vaccine is completely free of cost.
Majhi also announced the 'Chief Minister's Cancer Treatment Programme' in the 2026-27 budget, aimed at combating cancer. This program will include widespread community awareness and efforts to provide early treatment through screening and mobile camps in villages. He also said that 121 specific cancer treatment packages are being made for Odisha under the Ayushman Bharat and Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana.
On this occasion, the CM also dedicated 28 new 108 ambulances to strengthen emergency healthcare services in the state. Earlier, 400 ambulances were dedicated in two phases. Now, 428 new ambulances have been added to the emergency healthcare system of the state. The state government has spent Rs 111 crore from its own funds for this purpose, Majhi said.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling said that while the market price of this vaccine to prevent cervical cancer is Rs 4000, the Prime Minister has made arrangements to provide this vaccine free of cost to our girls.