The ambitious Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination scheme initiated by the Sikkim Government in the State has hit roadblocks with the opposition Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) raising doubts on the vaccination programme in the State.
Also read: Sikkim becomes first state to launch Human Papilloma Virus vaccine
The women front of the SKM questioned as to why the parents of the girl children (aged 9-14 years) are asked to sign a bond before being administered the HPV vaccines.
The SKM women front said the signing of bond for the vaccination against cervical cancer has cast suspicion on the minds of the gullible parents.
Addressing media persons in Gangtok on Sunday, the women front of SKM said that usually undertakings and bonds are taken only in hospitals in cases of severe medical conditions but here the parents are made to sign the bond for a vaccination carried out in schools.
Also the sudden launch of the vaccination programme without any prior awareness is itself doubtful, the leaders of the women front of SKM said.
The women front of SKM also demanded that the State government should immediately stop signing of bonds by the parents.
The SKM women’s front also criticized the SDF government for ‘limiting women empowerment in mere speeches’.
The women front apprised that the SKM party has several pro-women plans to be implemented in the State if voted to power in the 2019 elections.