Jagat Prakash Nadda has reaffirmed India’s strong commitment to eliminating Cervical Cancer as a public health problem while strengthening global health cooperation.
During a virtual press briefing on global health issues with Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of the World Health Organization, the Union Health Minister highlighted India’s multi-pronged strategy to address the disease. The approach focuses on prevention, screening, early detection, and timely treatment to reduce the burden of cervical cancer across the country.
Expanding Screening Services Nationwide
To strengthen early detection, the government has expanded screening services for cervical cancer using Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid. These services are now available at Ayushman Arogya Mandir and other health facilities for women between the ages of 30 and 65 years.
The screening initiative operates under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases. As a result of these efforts, more than 86 million women across India have already undergone screening.
Nationwide HPV Vaccination Campaign
In addition to screening initiatives, the government has launched a nationwide vaccination campaign against Human Papillomavirus. The campaign was launched on 28 February by Narendra Modi.
As reported by News on Air, the programme aims to vaccinate around 12 million adolescent girls aged 14 years across the country. The vaccination drive will continue for 90 days and follows a single-dose schedule using the Gardasil Quadrivalent vaccine. Importantly, the vaccine is being provided free of cost at government health facilities, ensuring broader access for eligible beneficiaries.
Focus on Women’s Preventive Healthcare
The Union Health Minister emphasised that the initiative reflects the vision of “Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar”, which places preventive healthcare and equitable access for women at the centre of public health efforts.
He also clarified that participation in the programme remains voluntary and based on parental consent, thereby respecting community values and individual choice.
Aligning with Global Cervical Cancer Elimination Goals
Reaffirming India’s global commitment, Mr Nadda stated that the country strongly supports the WHO’s strategy to eliminate cervical cancer. The global framework aims to achieve the 90–70–90 targets by 2030, which include:
- Vaccinating 90 percent of girls against HPV
• Screening 70 percent of women for cervical cancer
• Ensuring 90 percent of women diagnosed with cervical disease receive treatment
By aligning with these targets, India aims to significantly reduce cervical cancer incidence and mortality in the coming years.
WHO Praises India’s Vaccination Efforts
Meanwhile, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus commended India’s efforts to combat cervical cancer. He described the nationwide HPV vaccination campaign as the world’s largest free vaccination drive, calling it a landmark step toward eliminating the disease globally.
Through expanded screening programmes and large-scale vaccination initiatives, India continues to strengthen its efforts to protect women’s health and move closer to the goal of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health threat.
