Vaccination drive to make J&K cervical cancer free begins from Jammu

Jammu, Aug 21: Taking a historic lead in the prevention of deadly disease, the State Cancer Institute (SCI) of Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu launched a free vaccine drive for young girls to prevent cancer of the uterine cervix in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory.

This first-of-its-kind initiative in the region was inaugurated by Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakina Itoo at SCI, GMC Jammu.

This Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine will be provided free of cost to girls aged 9–15 years at the Preventive Oncology OPD of the State Cancer Institute, Jammu, as well as through outreach sessions in schools, anganwadi centres and urban slums.

Along with Itoo, MLA Jammu West, and Arvind Gupta, MLA Bahu Vikram Randhawa, who were also present on the occasion, signed the “wall of pledge”.

Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakina Itoo, while reaffirming the commitment of the J&K government to save lives and build a healthy future for women across the region, asked the Departments of Social Welfare and School Education to collaborate with the Department of Health and Medical Education (HME) to take this noble cause forward.

She emphasised the importance of raising awareness about the HPV vaccine and called upon the media to disseminate information about its safety and efficacy throughout the UT of J&K.

The Principal and Dean, GMC Jammu, Dr Ashutosh Gupta, stated that cancer of the cervix was the second most common cancer among women in the region, with the primary risk factor being persistent infection with the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).

He stressed that this cancer was largely preventable through timely immunisation with the HPV vaccine.

Dr Robina Mirza, Professor and Head, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, GMC Jammu, provided an overview of the prevalence of cervical cancer and its implications on women’s health. A detailed plan to make the UT of J&K cervical cancer–free by 2030 was presented by Dr Bhavna Langer, Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine.

“The HPV vaccine will be provided free of cost to girls aged 9–15 years at the Preventive Oncology OPD of the State Cancer Institute, Jammu, as well as through outreach sessions in schools, anganwadi centres, and urban slums. The initiative will be carried out in a mission mode, in close collaboration with the Departments of School Education, Higher Education, and Social Welfare,” she said.

The vaccination drive was coordinated by Dr Deepak Kumar, Deputy Medical Superintendent, State Cancer Institute Jammu, and received an overwhelming response on its maiden day.

The launch event also witnessed the participation of the Director of School Education Jammu; MD JKMSCL; Heads of Departments; Unit Heads and Medical Superintendents of GMC and associated hospitals Jammu, who extended their support to this pioneering public health initiative.

“With this milestone, Jammu and Kashmir takes a decisive step forward in women’s health protection, aligning itself with the global fight against cervical cancer,” Dr Ashutosh Gupta asserted.