In a significant step toward combating cervical cancer, Karnataka’s Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao announced a targeted immunisation campaign on Wednesday. The initiative, which aims to vaccinate all 14-year-old girls in Kalyana Karnataka’s five districts free of cost, will be conducted annually for girls turning 14. The goal is to eliminate cervical cancer, the second most common cancer among women after breast cancer.
The announcement was made at the event titled ‘Cervical Cancer Elimination Movement — From Awareness to Action’, which set the vision of a ‘Cervical Cancer-Free Karnataka’. The event, bringing together healthcare leaders, policymakers, and key organizations like the Karnataka State Obstetrics and Gynaecologists Association, marked a major milestone in the state’s fight against this preventable disease.
Minister Gundu Rao also highlighted that the government is reviewing a proposal from ARTIST for Her to improve the capabilities of obstetricians and gynaecologists. This proposal would help expand the vaccination drive to Chikkaballapur district. ARTIST (Asian Research & Training Institute for Skill Transfer) for Her is an institute focused on women’s healthcare and skill development.
“We are evaluating how we can expand vaccination coverage. Those screened and diagnosed have a 90% success rate in treatment,” Gundu Rao said. He emphasized that the proposal would not place a financial burden on the state and affirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring effective implementation.
To encourage more women to get diagnosed, the state has conducted health camps through the Gruha Arogya scheme, screening over 10,000 women and raising awareness about the importance of health checks. The minister urged women to participate in screenings for cervical and breast cancer, as well as other critical health conditions.
On the program’s progress, Gundu Rao mentioned that over 4,560 girls had already been vaccinated, and 1,500 women screened. He expressed confidence that the Chikkaballapur initiative would serve as a model for expanding the program statewide. “We will assess its impact and expedite the rollout across Karnataka,” he added.
Dr. Hema Divakar, Division Director of Well Women Health Care at the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), praised the role of ARTIST for Her in providing essential research and training programs, which equip healthcare professionals with specialized skills to tackle women’s health issues.
Read also: