In a significant attempt towards prevention of cervical cancer caused by a sexually transmitted infection, the Delhi government has launched the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination as a public health programme, the first by any state.
"Delhi first state to launch HPV vaccine for cervical cancer as public health programme," Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain tweeted.
As part of the programme, which was launched yesterday, girls of class VI in government schools will be targeted in the first phase. This will be completed in the current academic year over two phases.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection which causes cervical cancer.
"To begin with class VI girl students will be vaccinated. From next year we aim to vaccinate all the girls aged 9-13 years. We will mainly target all the school-going girls," Jain said.
According to Jain, through this initiative about 80 per cent of the cervical cancers can be prevented.
Delhi State Cancer Institute GNCTD, in collaboration with International Agency For Research On Cancer, Union for International Cancer Control and Ministry of Health has organised a four-day International Workshop on Cancer between February 29 to March 3.
According to the HPV India Report 2015 (HPV R-2015), 1,22,844 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 67,477 die from the disease in India every year.
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women aged 15-44 yearss.
