Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 20: Taking a historic lead in cancer prevention, the State Cancer Institute (SCI), Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu, launched a free vaccine drive to prevent cancer of the uterine cervix in Jammu and Kashmir.
This first-of-its-kind initiative in the region was inaugurated by Sakeena Itoo, Minister for Health and Medical Education, in the presence of Arvind Gupta (MLA Jammu West) and Vikram Randhawa (MLA Bahu).
Speaking on the occasion, Sakeena Itoo reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to saving lives and building a healthy future for women across the region. She emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the HPV vaccine. The Minister also urged the Departments of Social Welfare and School Education to collaborate with the Department of Health and Medical Education to take this noble cause forward.
Principal and Dean, GMC Jammu, Dr Ashutosh Gupta, informed that cancer of the cervix is the second most common cancer among women in the region, with the primary risk factor being persistent infection with the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). He stressed that this cancer is largely preventable through timely immunization with the HPV vaccine. Dr Robina Mirza, HoD Obstetrics and Gynaecology, GMC Jammu, provided an overview of the prevalence of cervical cancer and its implications on women’s health.
A detailed plan to make the J&K cervical cancer-free by 2030 was presented by Dr Bhavna Langer, Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine. She highlighted that the HPV vaccine will be provided free of cost to girls aged 9-15 years at the Preventive Oncology OPD of the State Cancer Institute Jammu, as well as through outreach sessions in schools, anganwadi centres, and urban slums.
The vaccination drive was coordinated by Dr Deepak Kumar, Deputy MS, State Cancer Institute Jammu. The event also witnessed the participation of the Director School Education Jammu, MD JKMSCL, HoDs, Unit Heads, and Medical Superintendents of GMC and associated hospitals Jammu.
Meanwhile, the Minister addressed a two-day International Conference on Emerging Trends in Multidisciplinary Research (ICETMR-2025), after its inauguration, at Government Gandhi Memorial (GGM) Science College, Jammu.
MLA Jammu East, Yudhveer Sethi; Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education Department, Shantmanu; Vice Chancellor Cluster University of Jammu, Prof K S Chardrasekar; noted academician of Jammu University, Prof Rajnikant; Principal, GGM Science College Prof Romesh Kumar Gupta, eminent academicians and distinguished dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
In her presidential address, the Minister highlighted the importance of fostering innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and critical thinking among researchers and students to prepare them for future global challenges.
On the occasion, the Minister also released the Abstract Book and the College Newsletter, reflecting the scholarly contributions of the participants. Earlier, she e-inaugurated Skill Tower hosting different Skill laboratories, Geography Block, renovated Physics and Chemistry Block of heritage Building, Conference Hall and Browsing centre for the GGM Science College.
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