In a bold move to combat cervical cancer, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav kicked off a massive HPV vaccination program on Saturday, setting sights on vaccinating around 8 lakh girls between 14 and 15 years old. This free initiative, supported by the central government with over 7.58 lakh doses, will run for three months at government health facilities.
Launched nationally by PM Modi from Ajmer, the campaign arrived in MP with great fanfare. Speaking virtually, Yadav called it a testament to the state’s resolve for women’s empowerment through health security. He warned of cervical cancer’s dangers, the second-leading cancer for women after breast cancer, and implored parents not to miss this no-cost opportunity.
Deputy CM Rajendra Shukla lit the symbolic lamp at Bhopal’s Dr. Kailash Nath Katju Hospital, sharing that roughly 156 women per lakh are affected annually. ‘Vaccination is our strongest weapon for prevention—let’s aim for a cancer-free state,’ he motivated health staff, representatives, and citizens to collaborate for success.
This drive aligns seamlessly with MP’s health revolution. Upcoming Mission Madhuhari promises district-level clinics for juvenile Type-1 diabetes, complete with insulin testing and consultations. Parallel schemes like Nirogi Kaya, Sickle Cell Mission, Healthy Women Strong Family, and Liver Health Mission are gaining momentum.
Infrastructure upgrades include a robust hub-and-spoke system for primary care, 85 advanced tests, rural telemedicine, and plans for medical colleges per parliamentary seat. Officials project full coverage on schedule, crediting community involvement. Yadav concluded that proactive health measures today will yield a disease-resilient tomorrow for Madhya Pradesh.