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Himachal Targets 64,000 Girls in HPV Drive, Unveils Robotic Surgery Push

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched a statewide campaign to vaccinate 64,000 adolescent girls against the Human Papillomavirus to prevent cervical cancer. He announced a massive Rs 3,000 crore investment to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and introduce robotic surgery in five government medical colleges. The robotic services will be formally launched at facilities in Neer Chowk and Shimla in early March. While launching the drive, CM Sukhu avoided commenting on BJP's allegations regarding the AI summit protest.

Key Points: Himachal HPV Vaccination Drive for 64,000 Girls, Robotic Surgery

  • HPV drive for 64,000 girls aged 13-14
  • Rs 3,000 crore health infrastructure investment
  • Robotic surgery in 5 govt medical colleges
  • Focus on early cancer prevention
2 min read

Himachal targets to cover 64,000 adolescent girls under HPV vaccination drive: CM Sukhu

Himachal CM Sukhu launches HPV vaccination for adolescent girls and announces Rs 3,000 crore health infra boost with robotic surgery in govt colleges.

"I do not consider it appropriate to respond to each and every thing they say. - CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu"

Shimla, February 28

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday launched the statewide Human Papillomavirus vaccination campaign and said the state government has set a target to vaccinate 64,000 adolescent girls against cervical cancer.

Speaking at the event in Shimla, the Chief Minister said cervical cancer and breast cancer are among the most common cancers affecting women and stressed the importance of prevention through early vaccination and awareness. He clarified that while cancer treatment can be complex, early detection and preventive measures like vaccination significantly reduce the risk.

The vaccination drive will focus on girls aged 13 to 14 years, ideally before marriage, in line with medical guidelines. The Health Department has been directed to implement the campaign with the support of doctors and medical staff across the state. The government aims to complete the vaccination process within a year.

Responding to a question about the high number of cancer cases in Rajasthan, Sukhu said there could be multiple reasons and emphasised the need for awareness, early diagnosis, and improved healthcare facilities.

Highlighting broader health sector reforms, CM Sukhu said the state government is investing Rs 3,000 crore to strengthen healthcare infrastructure. He added that technological upgrades are underway at major institutions, including Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital and Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College.

Sukhu further announced that robotic surgery services are being introduced in five government medical colleges across Himachal Pradesh. Robotic surgery will be formally launched at Neer Chowk on March 6 and at IGMC Shimla on March 10. He claimed that very few government hospitals in North India currently offer robotic surgery facilities, and Himachal Pradesh is among the leading states to introduce the advanced technology in the public sector.

The Chief Minister said the government's focus is to ensure that patients from within and outside the state can access quality healthcare services in Himachal Pradesh.

Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also launched the nationwide HPV vaccination campaign in Ajmer.

Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhu, meanwhile, refused to respond to the allegation by the BJP that he was responsible for the AI summit protest. Sukhu said, "I do not consider it appropriate to respond to each and every thing they say."

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good move, but the focus should also be on awareness. In many small towns and villages, there is still stigma and misinformation about vaccines. The health department must run parallel awareness campaigns for parents to ensure full participation.
A
Aman W
Investing Rs 3,000 crore in healthcare and bringing robotic surgery to government hospitals? Himachal is setting a new benchmark. If this works, it will reduce the burden on private hospitals and make advanced treatment accessible to the common man. Kudos!
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Sarah B
While the vaccination drive is commendable, I hope the implementation is smooth and reaches every girl, especially in remote areas. Sometimes these targets are announced with great fanfare but the ground reality is different. Fingers crossed for effective execution.
V
Vikram M
It's heartening to see a state government focusing on women's health in such a concrete way. The HPV vaccine is expensive in the private sector. Making it free for 64,000 girls is a massive welfare step. More power to CM Sukhu for this.
K
Kavya N
The PM launching it nationwide and a state CM launching it locally on the same day shows a good sync on health policy. This is how center-state collaboration should work for public good, not just politics. Hope the benefits reach the last mile.

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