Arunachal, Nagaland give life-saving shots

Itanagar/Dimapur: Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday joined PM Narendra Modi’s nationwide launch of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme from Rajasthan, formally rolling it out at the Tomo Riba Institute of Health & Medical Sciences to protect adolescent girls from cervical cancer.

CM Pema Khandu, with health minister Biyuram Wahge and senior health & family welfare officials, inaugurated the state drive targeting 14 to 15-year-old girls, an official report said. Hailing it as ‘a very significant programme’ and ‘another milestone under PM’s leadership’, Khandu congratulated Arunachal’s women and girls. “I extend my heartfelt congratulations.... Today’s launch marks an important step towards securing their health and future,” he said.


He underscored cervical cancer’s toll, citing 2024 figures — nearly 78,500 new cases in India and 42,000 deaths. “These were not just statistics. They were mothers, sisters and daughters,” Khandu said, adding that 99.7% of cases stem from persistent HPV infection.

“The good news is that this is one cancer which can be prevented through vaccination,” he said. Reassuring girls at the event, Khandu revealed: “There is no need to be nervous. I too have a daughter, and she has already taken the HPV vaccine. It is absolutely safe.”

Arunachal targets vaccinating 19,500 girls in this phase within three months for prompt central funding.

In Nagaland, CM Neiphiu Rio carried out the state-level virtual launch HPV vaccination programme against cervical cancer at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima on Saturday.