Guwahati: Mizoram Health Minister Lalrinpuii on Wednesday said the state has emerged as one of the country’s leading performers in the implementation of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme and expressed confidence that it can soon secure the top position.
Speaking at the launch of the National Immunisation Day (NID) Pulse Polio programme in Aizawl, the Minister said Mizoram’s relatively small population of around 16 lakh enables the government to deliver quality healthcare services more effectively. At the same time, she noted that the public’s high expectations make it imperative for the state to sustain and improve its healthcare achievements.
Lalrinpuii said Mizoram currently ranks third nationwide in the rollout of the HPV vaccination programme, which was launched by the Prime Minister on February 28. She called on health officials and frontline workers to intensify their efforts to elevate the state to the number one position in the country.
Highlighting the programme’s success, officials said Lunglei district in south Mizoram exceeded its vaccination target by achieving 107 per cent coverage. During the 90-day campaign held from February 28 to May 31, the district vaccinated 1,326 adolescent girls against the initial target of 1,243.
The Minister also underlined the importance of sustaining immunisation efforts despite India being certified polio-free since 2014. She stressed that strengthening routine vaccination remains essential to preserving Mizoram’s polio-free status.
Lalrinpuii welcomed the enthusiastic participation of parents in the Pulse Polio campaign, attributing the encouraging turnout to extensive awareness drives conducted across localities in the state.
She further commended healthcare workers for their contribution to Mizoram’s achievements in obtaining National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) certifications and improving key health indicators, including the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR). These accomplishments, she said, have earned Mizoram recognition among India’s “Eligible States.”
Also addressing the programme, Health and Family Welfare Department Additional Secretary Lalnunmawii Ralte cautioned that continued vigilance against polio remains crucial. Although India has not reported a polio case since 2011, she noted that the disease continues to be detected in neighbouring countries such as Myanmar, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, posing a potential risk.
Ralte said this year’s Pulse Polio campaign is being carried out across all 11 districts of Mizoram, with more than one lakh children below the age of five targeted for immunisation through 1,430 vaccination booths established across the state.