Major Public Health Initiative: IMA's Fight Against Cervical Cancer
In a significant move to address India's cervical cancer crisis, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has announced a phased rollout of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. This ambitious public health commitment comes as response to the alarming rate of cervical cancer cases across the nation, where the disease ranks as the second most common cancer among women.
Affordable Vaccination Program Details
The vaccination drive will commence in December, initially focusing on families of IMA's registered doctors and members. Dr Dilip Bhanushali, IMA national president, revealed that the vaccine will be offered at just Rs 1,000 per dose, which represents half the current market rate. The vaccine is being provided through a partnership with a renowned pharmaceutical company.
"The first phase of the vaccination drive will focus on providing the HPV vaccine to families of IMA's registered doctors and members from December onwards," stated Dr Bhanushali. He further announced that the program will extend to the general public across India starting after March 26, 2024, maintaining the same affordable price point of Rs 1,000.
Addressing a National Health Emergency
This initiative directly responds to the staggering statistic that nearly 100 women die daily in India due to cervical cancer, a disease that is largely preventable through vaccination. The urgency of this intervention cannot be overstated, given that cervical cancer remains the only major cancer that can be effectively prevented through vaccination.
In preparation for this massive undertaking, the IMA has already trained 50,000 physicians in HPV vaccination delivery and awareness creation. This training was conducted following a strategic collaboration with organizations including the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI).
Target Group and Maximum Efficacy
According to Dr Priya Ganesh Kumar, national coordinator for HPV Vaccination at FOGSI, the primary target group for maximum efficacy includes girls and boys aged 9 to 14 years. Early vaccination during this age window provides the strongest protection against HPV-related cancers later in life.
The IMA, which represents over 4.25 lakh members across 32 state branches and 1800 local branches, has been advocating for the government to include the HPV vaccine in the national immunization program to make it accessible free of cost to all citizens.
This advocacy appears to be bearing fruit, as the Government of India proposed in the 2024-25 interim budget to include HPV vaccination in its universal immunization programme. This development signals a growing recognition of vaccination as the most cost-effective public health measure to eliminate this high-mortality cancer.
The comprehensive approach combining affordable access, physician training, and strategic partnerships represents a significant step forward in India's battle against cervical cancer, potentially saving thousands of lives annually through this preventable disease initiative.
