Chief Minister Shri Yumnam Khemchand Singh attended the nationwide launch of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Campaign against cervical cancer today at the Auditorium Hall of the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), Imphal East. The programme was launched virtually across all States and Union Territories by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi from Ajmer, Rajasthan.
Prior to the programme, the Chief Minister flagged off 33 ambulances for maternity services to various districts of the State. The ambulances were funded by the North Eastern Council (NEC) and procured by the Directorate of Health Services, Manipur, to strengthen maternal and child healthcare delivery across the State.
During the launch event, the Chief Minister visited the registration counter, vaccination room, and observation room at JNIMS. He interacted with doctors, nurses, and beneficiaries, handed over a vaccination certificate to a girl who received the HPV vaccine, and inspected the internal roads of the JNIMS campus while reviewing the condition of the infrastructure.
In his address, the Prime Minister stated that the Government is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the daughters of the country are healthy and prosperous. He described the nationwide HPV vaccination drive as a transformative step in preventive healthcare to protect girls from cervical cancer.
The HPV vaccine protects girls from HPV infection, which is the leading cause of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers among women. The vaccine is being administered to 14–15-year-old girls under a campaign-mode strategy. It follows a single-dose schedule and marks a major step towards preventing cervical cancer and safeguarding the health of future generations.
Minister Shri Khuraijam Loken Singh; Chief Secretary Dr. Puneet Kumar Goel; administrative secretaries; the Director of Health Services; doctors, nurses, and medical staff, among others, also attended the programme.
