Argus News - PM Modi Launches Nationwide HPV Vaccination Drive

Ajmer, Feb 28: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign for girls aged 14. This program aims to protect women and girls across the country from cervical cancer, a disease that remains a significant health concern in India.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth over Rs 16,680 crore across sectors, including urban development, drinking water, roads, irrigation, energy and industrial infrastructure during his visit to Ajmer, Rajasthan.

Among key infrastructure projects were several national highway works. These projects include the four-lane greenfield expressway between Bandikui and Jaipur, sections of the Amritsar-Jamnagar Economic Corridor, and parts of the Delhi-Vadodara access-controlled expressway.

Cervical cancer, caused primarily by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), has been a major health concern in India, accounting for thousands of deaths annually. Experts emphasize that vaccination is one of the most effective preventive measures, significantly reducing the risk of developing the disease later in life.

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What is ‘Cervical Cancer’?

Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the cells of the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that connects to a female’s private part. It usually develops slowly, starting with abnormal cell changes known as dysplasia. If untreated, these abnormal cells can become cancerous and spread deeper into the cervix and nearby tissues.

The primary cause is persistent infection with certain strains of human papillomavirus (HPV). Cervical cancer is largely preventable through HPV vaccination and regular screening, and it can often be cured if detected early. Globally, it remains one of the most common cancers among women.