Manipal Hospital Kharadi Launches Cervical Vaccination Initiative under the Adult Vaccination Program on International Women’s Day
Pune : In line with the national initiative to combat cervical cancer, Manipal Hospital, Kharadi, launched a cervical vaccination initiative under its adult vaccination program during a community event on Sunday. On the occasion of International Women’s Day, this community connect program was aimed at educating and empowering women to take proactive measures towards safeguarding their health against cervical cancer and other critical health diseases.
The community connect program witnessed the participation of 150 women from the Women’s Club Kharadi and 15 girls from a local children’s home received free flu vaccinations to boost their immunity.
Under this cervical vaccination program, Manipal Hospital, Kharadi, will be offering HPV vaccination at a discount to women aged between 9 – 14 and 18 – 45 years. Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines are essential in the fight against cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases. HPV vaccine significantly reduces the risk of cervical cancer, as well as other HPV-related cancers such as oropharyngeal, vaginal, vulvar, anal, and penile cancers. Early vaccinations ensure the best effect by protecting against viral infection before the start of sexual involvement, ideally during adolescence or early adulthood.
Speaking on the occasion, Parameswar Das, Hospital Director, Manipal Hospital, Kharadi, Pune, said, “Adult vaccination is as important as child immunisation to fight against critical illnesses. Our adult vaccination program is focused on educating and creating awareness about adult immunization. With the launch of this cervical vaccination initiative, we want to encourage women and men to take the initiative of getting the women vaccinated around them. With the rising number of cervical cancer patients in the country, we aim to reach as many women as possible across different age groups through such initiatives. We urge all women to take charge of their health and get vaccinated against cervical cancer.”
Chief Guest, Dr. Rekha Galande, PMC Officer, said, “Such initiatives are necessary for promoting women’s health and empowering women. Cervical cancer, one of the main causes of death for women worldwide, continues to pose a risk to the health of not just women but the whole society. This makes it necessary for the women to get themselves vaccinated with HPV vaccinations and encourage other women to do the same. This initiative by Manipal Hospital, Kharadi, shows the continuous commitment of the hospital to supporting women’s empowerment and the health of the community.”
Cervical cancer ranks as the third most common cancer in India, accounting for 18.3%, and stands as the second leading cause of death, with a mortality rate of 9.1%, according to GLOBOCAN 2020. Cervical cancer is a preventable disease, and vaccination is an essential step towards reducing its incidence. The HPV vaccine is safe and effective in preventing the types of HPV that cause most cervical cancers. By getting vaccinated, women can significantly reduce their risk of developing cervical cancer.