Nagaland – Nagaland has begun administering free Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines to 14‑year‑old girls, marking a decisive step in the fight against cervical cancer. The programme was rolled out on February 28 at the Naga Hospital Authority in Kohima, coinciding with the nationwide launch led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Ajmer, Rajasthan.
Although Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio was unable to attend due to Assembly budget commitments, senior officials presided over the state‑level event. Commissioner and Secretary Anoop Khinchi highlighted the urgency of the campaign, noting that cervical cancer remains one of the most pressing health challenges for women in India. He pointed out that nearly all cases—about 99.7 percent—stem from persistent infection with high‑risk HPV strains.
National data shows India reports roughly 1.25 lakh new cervical cancer cases annually, with close to 78,000 deaths. The disease is the second leading cause of cancer‑related fatalities among women, accounting for nearly one‑fifth of female cancers. Most patients are between 35 and 55 years of age, often leaving families vulnerable when mothers fall ill.
The Nagaland initiative will provide a single dose of the Gardasil‑4 vaccine to all eligible girls over a three‑month period. Vaccines will be available daily at government health facilities, with parental or guardian consent required. Officials stressed that the campaign is voluntary but strongly encouraged, given that cervical cancer is preventable through timely vaccination.
Khinchi also referenced the World Health Organization’s global elimination strategy, which sets ambitious 2030 targets: vaccinating 90 percent of girls by age 15, screening 70 percent of women at ages 35 and 45, and ensuring 90 percent of those diagnosed receive appropriate treatment. The WHO aims to reduce cervical cancer incidence worldwide to fewer than four cases per 100,000 women.
