Steps Towards a Cancer-Free Future: Special HPV Vaccination Week Begins in Dhamtari

Steps Towards a Cancer-Free Future: Special HPV Vaccination Week Begins in Dhamtari 13 to 18 July free life-saving vaccine for 14-year-old girls Raipur, 13 July 2026 Dhamtari district has launched a major initiative to protect girls from deadly diseases such as cervical (uterine neck) cancer. From today until 18 July 2026 a special HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccination week has started. Under this mega-campaign all eligible 14-year-old girls are being given a free life-saving HPV vaccine by the health department. The health department has completed extensive preparations from schools to health centres. A Bullet-Proof and Safe Shield Against Cancer The Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) emphasized that HPV infection is the main cause of cervical cancer. He said that timely HPV vaccination is the safest, most effective and scientifically proven way to prevent this serious cancer. The vaccine can virtually eliminate the risk of cancer in the future, making vaccination of all eligible girls essential. Vaccination Facilities Available The health department, women and child development department and education department are working together to ensure 100 % success. Free vaccination will be available at the district hospital, community health centres (CHC), primary health centres (PHC), health and welfare centres (HWC), identified schools and designated special vaccination session sites. A Healthy Future for Girls Is Our Collective Responsibility Dhamtari collector appealed to all parents and guardians to participate enthusiastically in the campaign. He stated that the healthy future of daughters is our collective responsibility. The HPV vaccine is completely safe. He urges all guardians not to be swayed by any rumors or misinformation and to trust health experts by ensuring their 14-year-old daughters receive the vaccine. This small decision can provide lifelong protection for their daughters. He called on all local representatives, teachers, Anganwadi workers, volunteers and social organisations to turn this into a mass movement and reiterated that no eligible girl in the district should be deprived of this life-saving vaccine.