Thousands Benefit as Thane’s HPV Campaign Intensifies

Cervical cancer consistently ranks as the second most frequent cancer among women in India and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the country. The primary cause of this is the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). If a preventative vaccination is administered at the right age, the risk of this cancer can be reduced. With this objective, an awareness campaign for the HPV vaccine has gained momentum in the Thane district.

Until a few years ago, the HPV vaccine was extremely expensive in the market, making it unaffordable for many middle-class families. Many cases went unreported until stage 4 due to a lack of knowledge and the stigma associated with the topic. An initiative under Health Minister Prakash Abitkar, through the Health Department, is now providing the HPV vaccine free of charge to girls between the ages of 14 and 15 at government hospitals. Under the guidance of Health Deputy Director Doctor Abhishek Nandapurkar, this facility has been made available at the Thane District Government Hospital, Sub-District Hospitals, Rural Hospitals, Primary Health Centres, and Municipal Hospitals.

District Health Officer Dr. Gangadhar Parghe has appealed to the parents to ensure their daughters are vaccinated as soon as possible.