Relevance: Urgent
Title: HPV Vaccination Drive
Category: Health
Sakeena Itoo launches HPV Vaccination Drive in J&K; inaugurates HDU at Kulgam Hospital
Health Minister Sakeena Itoo launched the HPV vaccination drive in Jammu and Kashmir from Kulgam, targeting 1.35 lakh girls. She also inaugurated an HDU at District Hospital Kulgam, urging maximum participation to prevent cervical cancer and strengthen preventive healthcare across the Union Territory.
Srinagar, February 28: The Health and Medical Education Department of Jammu and Kashmir formally launched the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign across the Union Territory on Friday, with Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakeena Itoo flagging off the drive from the District Hospital Kulgam.
Describing the initiative as a major step towards the prevention of cervical cancer, the Minister said the campaign aims to safeguard the health of adolescent girls through timely immunization. She urged parents and guardians to ensure maximum participation so that every eligible beneficiary receives the vaccine.
During her visit, Itoo also inaugurated a newly established High Dependency Unit (HDU) at District Hospital Kulgam, strengthening critical healthcare infrastructure in the district and enhancing patient care services.
According to official figures, approximately 1.35 lakh eligible girls in Jammu and Kashmir are expected to be covered during this phase of the vaccination drive. A total of 192 vaccination centres have been set up across the UT, including 11 Government Medical Colleges and 142 Primary Health Centres (PHCs), to ensure smooth and wide implementation of the programme.
Highlighting the gravity of cervical cancer, Itoo said that over 80,000 women are affected by the disease annually across the country, with nearly 40,000 deaths reported each year. “If girls up to the age of 14 years are properly vaccinated, thousands of precious lives can be saved every year,” she said, reiterating the government’s commitment to preventive healthcare and women’s well-being. (Audio Byte Attached).
The HPV vaccination campaign is being rolled out across all districts to ensure comprehensive outreach and protection against cervical cancer among young girls in Jammu and Kashmir.
AUDIO: Sakeena Itoo speaks about HPV Vaccination Drive…
URL: https://newswire.prasarbharati.org/storymedia/downloadFile/2602280930199345202602281138351
