Shimla, Feb 28:
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday launched a statewide HPV vaccination campaign against cervical cancer, announcing that 65,000 girls aged 14 years will be vaccinated across Himachal Pradesh within the next 90 days.
Launching the drive from Indira Gandhi Medical College, the Chief Minister urged parents, panchayat representatives and health workers to ensure the campaign’s success through awareness and community participation.
Expressing concern over the rising incidence of cancer in the state, Sukhu said early diagnosis and timely treatment could save lives. He said the government was committed to “Vyavastha Parivartan” (systemic transformation) and had prioritised healthcare reforms after decades of stagnation.
The Chief Minister announced that a state-of-the-art cancer hospital would be built in Hamirpur at a cost of ₹300 crore. He also said that within eight months, world-class medical equipment and advanced technology would be installed in IGMC and all medical colleges.
Over the next three years, AIIMS-like facilities would be developed in zonal hospitals, model health institutions, PHCs and CHCs, with an investment of around ₹3,000 crore. The state also aims to promote health tourism over the next five years.
Highlighting recent upgrades, Sukhu said a new 3 Tesla MRI machine was inaugurated at IGMC, replacing a 19-year-old system. He added that robotic surgery facilities are being rolled out in all five medical colleges, with services at IGMC set to begin on March 10.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dhani Ram Shandil said the HPV vaccine would be included in the routine immunisation programme and provided free of cost to girls under medical supervision.
MLAs Harish Janartha and Suresh Kumar, senior health officials and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
