Dimapur: Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio carried out the state-level virtual launch of the national human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme against cervical cancer at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK) on Saturday.
The national launch was led virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking a significant step towards the prevention of cervical cancer in the country.
During the launch programme, commissioner & secretary, health & family welfare, Anoop Khinchi emphasised the importance of HPV vaccination in protecting young girls from cervical cancer.
He stated that about 90.79% of cervical cancer cases are caused by persistent infection of the genital tract by high-risk types of the HPV.
He added that although the disease affects women in their prime age, it is 100% preventable through vaccination.
Khinchi highlighted that the campaign aims to vaccinate all eligible girls aged 14 years across the country with a single dose of the Gardasil-4 vaccine at all government health facilities.
The vaccination drive will be conducted over a three-month period, during which the HPV vaccine will be made available every day at routine immunization sessions free of cost. He encouraged parents and guardians to ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive the vaccine.
The event concluded with the handing over of certificates to beneficiaries, marking the formal rollout of the vaccination drive in the state.