Garhwal Post Bureau
DEHRADUN, 28 Feb: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched the nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign against cervical cancer for 14-year-old girls from Ajmer in Rajasthan. In this regard, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the programme through virtual mode from Haldwani Medical College.
On the occasion, the CM also inspected the HPV vaccination room established at the Medical College and interacted with girls aged 9 to 14 years who had arrived for the HPV vaccination. He apprised them of the benefits of the vaccine.
Dhami stated that the campaign is not only a health initiative but also a historic step towards the dignity, safety and empowerment of Matri Shakti (Women). He said that by launching the HPV vaccination drive, PM Narendra Modi has demonstrated that respect and security for women are not merely slogans for him, but a firm resolve.
The CM said that cervical cancer has emerged as a serious challenge to the health of women. In India, more than 78,000 cases of this grave disease were reported in 2024 alone, resulting in the tragic death of over 42,000 women. The disease has been causing distress to thousands of families. In view of this seriousness, the Prime Minister decided to initiate the HPV vaccination campaign at the national level so as to ensure prevention of the disease and provide a safe and healthy future to the coming generation.
Dhami shared that under this campaign, launched by the Prime Minister from Ajmer today, more than 1.15 crore adolescent girls aged 14 years across the country will be administered the HPV vaccine free of cost. He added that in Uttarakhand, comprehensive vaccination arrangements have been ensured at 155 centres in the first phase of the campaign. Doctors, nurses, ANMs, ASHA and Anganwadi workers have been trained to ensure the success of the campaign and to strengthen the cold-chain system.
Expressing gratitude to all frontline health workers of the state for ensuring the success of the campaign, the CM said that the PM Modi has resolved to guarantee quality healthcare services for every citizen of the country and has effectively implemented this on the ground. A significant transformation has been witnessed in the health sector. Earlier, there were 387 medical colleges in the country; today, their number has increased to 819. The number of medical students has grown by more than one and a half times. Over the past 11 years, the Central Government has strengthened the nation’s medical infrastructure by establishing 23 new AIIMS institutions.
The CM stated that the world’s largest health protection scheme, Ayushman Bharat, is being implemented in the country, under which crores of families are being provided free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh per year. He added that various schemes are also being operated for the welfare of Matri Shakti. Under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, crores of mothers and sisters have been relieved from the smoke of traditional chulhas.
Dhami further asserted that the Uttarakhand Government is continuously working towards expansion and strengthening of healthcare services in the State to realise its vision of “Swasth Uttarakhand, Samriddh Uttarakhand”. Under the Ayushman scheme, nearly 61 lakh Ayushman cards have so far been distributed in the State, enabling lakhs of patients to avail free treatment. Medical colleges are being established in every district of the State. Five medical colleges are already operational, while construction work on two more medical colleges is in progress.
The CM informed that super-speciality departments have been established in Dehradun, Haldwani and Srinagar Medical Colleges, where advanced facilities such as cardiology, neurosurgery and urology are being provided. Construction of the State’s first modern cancer institute is also underway in Haldwani. A heli-ambulance service has also been launched in the state, proving lifesaving for people in remote areas during emergencies. Free pathological testing facilities are also being provided to patients.
He added that district hospitals and community health centres are being modernised and equipped with improved facilities. Through telemedicine services, efforts are being made to provide specialist consultation to remote villages. Continuous action is also being taken to address staff shortages in government hospitals and medical colleges.
Appealing to the public, the CM urged the people not to be misled by any rumours or misconceptions and but to ensure that their daughters receive the HPV vaccination. He said that this is not merely a vaccine but a protective shield for their healthy future. He also appealed to teachers, Panchayat representatives, women’s groups, religious and social organisations to spread maximum awareness about the campaign and to ensure in the next three months that no girl is deprived of this protective shield.
On the occasion, Nainital MP Ajay Bhatt also addressed the gathering and shared details of the nationwide campaign. District Panchayat Chairperson Deepa Darmwal, MLAs Mohan Singh Bisht, Ram Singh Kaida and Sarita Arya, Mayor Gajraj Singh Bisht, office-bearers Anil Kapoor Dabbu, Dinesh Arya, Suresh Bhatt, Shankar Koranga and Naveen Lal Verma, BJP District President Pratap Bisht, Kumaon Commissioner Deepak Rawat, District Magistrate Lalit Mohan Rayal, SSP Dr Manjunath TC, and several other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
