Latest news with #UniversalImmunisationProgramme
India.com
17 hours ago
- Health
- India.com
India's Silent Crisis: Cervical Cancer And The Urgent Need For Awareness
In the broad canvas of public health issues confronting India, cervical cancer is one of the most dangerous to the lives of women. One woman succumbs to cervical cancer every eight minutes in India. It is not because of technology deprivation, cure unavailability, or vaccine access denial, but because of silence, stigma, and system inaccessibility. Dr. Arun H N, Surgical Oncologist & Associate professor, Department of Surgical Oncology. Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology- Bengaluru and Braja Kishore Pradhan, Founder of the Aahwahan Foundation shares the urgent need of awareness for cervical cancer. Even though it is one of the most preventable of cancers, it still kills thousands because of a deficiency in timely screening and information. Cultural taboo keeps women from talking about reproductive health openly, which means barriers for early detection. Healthcare infrastructure in rural enclaves remains skeletal and even where it does exist, awareness is shockingly low. Myths surrounding the HPV vaccine also exacerbate the issue, discouraging families from being proactive. This silent epidemic is more than a health problem, it's a social one that indicates profound gender disparities and institutional failure. A Disease Without a Voice Cervical cancer progresses gradually. It begins as a chronic infection with some high-risk types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a virus that is often spread through sexual activity. Though it may take years. In some cases, decades to become cancer, it usually doesn't make its presence known until relatively late. That's the first tragedy. Since early cervical cancer is often silent, women will go on with their daily activities unaware of what's going on inside their bodies. It is when symptoms such as abnormal vaginal bleeding, watery or smelly discharge, pelvic pain, or pain during sex manifest that the cancer has reached an advanced stage. The Life-Saving Potential of Screening The following is the good news: cervical cancer is one of the cancers that can be identified before developing into cancer. Regular screening using Pap smears or HPV DNA testing can identify pre-cancerous cervical changes. These tests are cheap, relatively painless, and can be lifesavers, but only if the resources are made available and accessible. Fewer than 20% of eligible Indian women have ever been screened for cervical cancer. In cities, private clinics and hospitals provide the service, but in rural or slum settings, a woman might never even be aware of the term "cervix", much less what a Pap smear is. HPV Vaccine: Prevention in a Syringe The second lifesaver is the HPV vaccine. Given before exposure to the virus, and preferably between the ages of 9 and 14, it can protect against more than 90% of cases of cervical cancer. Even adults up to age 45 can use it, depending on their medical history. India's addition of the HPV vaccine to its Universal Immunisation Programme is a milestone, but roll-out is patchy. Most parents are still not aware of the vaccine. Others are misled, thinking it impacts fertility or promotes early sex, both baseless concerns. The actual barrier isn't medical — it's social. The Real Epidemic: Ignorance Rural, tribal, and slum populations in India have a triple burden: poverty, illiteracy, and weak health infrastructure. In most of these locations, women are instructed to keep quiet and bear the pain. Reproductive health is not discussed. Illusory beliefs galore: cancer is either a curse or a punishment. This silence is fatal. Field workers and community health volunteers usually describe the challenges of even initiating discussions regarding cervical cancer. In the absence of credible voices from among the community members, social workers, teachers, or local women leaders, misinformation fills the gap. What Needs to Change Cervical cancer is not the inevitable consequence that many believe it to be. It is not an untreatable disease. And it is definitely not a death sentence if caught early. India has to move, not only by policy but by people. 1. Initiate village-level campaigns of education in the local language, with culturally appropriate images and messages. 2. Mobilize screening camps, particularly in tribal tracts and urban slums. 3. Engage schools and parents in HPV vaccine awareness; make it as normal as giving polio drops. 4. Train more women health workers to carry out screenings and establish trust within communities. Cervical cancer is not only a health problem; it's a matter of social justice. Every woman, no matter where she lives or how much money she makes, should have the chance to live a life free from avoidable disease. Shattering the silence on cervical cancer is providing a voice to those who have never been heard. It is extending beyond hospital walls, into classrooms, kitchens, and community centres, to shift attitudes and, in doing so, save lives.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Cervical cancer vaccine to come under UIP
Villupuram : The Union health and family welfare ministry has recommended the introduction of the cervical cancer vaccine in the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP), said Union minister of state for health and family welfare Anupriya Patel . In a written reply to the queries posed by Villupuram VCK MP D Ravikumar, Patel said the recommendation was based on the evaluation of fresh evidence on disease burden and effectiveness of a single dose of the cervical cancer vaccine. Patel said the ministry has initiated a capacity-building exercise for medical and paramedical staff members regarding the vaccine. She said the National Technical Advisory Group for Immunisation recommended the vaccine in the UIP in June 2022. Ravikumar was questioning the ministry about the delay in including the vaccine in the UIP. In a social media post, Ravikumar said he has been raising the issue in Parliament for the last six years. He said chief minister M K Stalin launched the vaccine programme specifically in the Villupuram following his repeated requests. Now, the initiative will be launched across the country, he said. India has highest number of cervical cancer-related deaths in the world. Around one lakh women die every year in the country due to this disease. Among Indian states, TN ranks second in the number of such deaths.
Indian Express
07-07-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
When government cares, healthcare makes strides
India's healthcare system has undergone a remarkable transformation over the last 11 years, driven by political will, enhanced funding, and a commitment to providing affordable, accessible, equitable and quality healthcare for all. It reflects the Modi government's focus on building a robust healthcare system, prioritising the well-being of every citizen. In 2014, India faced significant challenges, including gaps in infrastructure, trained human resources, availability of medicines and diagnostics, and service quality. Today, guided by a philosophy of comprehensive care focused on proactive well-being, there has been a dramatic shift. The National Health Mission (NHM) is the cornerstone of this revolution, strengthening health systems, reducing maternal and child mortality, combating diseases, and promoting universal access to quality healthcare. More than 1.77 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are bringing healthcare closer to communities, and platforms like eSanjeevani and TeleMANAS have democratised access to specialist care. Focused interventions under NHM have led to improvements in maternal and child health indicators. According to the UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group report, India has seen an 86 per cent decline in maternal mortality rate, nearly double the global average decline of 48 per cent. Infant mortality has declined by 73 per cent as against a global decline of 58 per cent. As the burden of non-communicable diseases is increasing, preventive care has also been a focus. Screening for oral, breast and cervical cancers is being provided at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. By May, nearly 28 crore were screened for hypertension, more than 27 crore for diabetes, and 27 crore for oral cancer. The Universal Immunisation Programme continues to be strengthened. Six new vaccines have been introduced since 2014, with 5.46 crore children and 1.32 crore pregnant women vaccinated under Mission Indradhanush. We have leveraged the latest technology to build the U-WIN portal to digitise vaccination services, recording 10.68 crore beneficiaries and administering 42.75 crore doses by May 2025. India was declared polio-free in 2014, eliminated maternal and neonatal tetanus in 2015, and trachoma in 2024. Malaria cases and deaths dropped by over 80 per cent between 2015-2023. We reached the Kala Azar elimination target in 2023. TB incidence has reduced by 17.7 per cent and mortality by 21 per cent, as confirmed by the WHO Global TB Report 2024, the 'missing' TB cases have dropped from 15 lakh in 2015 to 1.2 lakh in 2024. Healthcare financing has also improved. Government health expenditure as a share of GDP has increased from 1.13 per cent to 1.84 per cent (2014-2022), while Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) dropped from 62.6 per cent to 39.4 per cent. The Free Drugs and Diagnostics Service Initiative has enhanced affordability and accessibility, with laboratory services available in 36 States/UTs, CT scans in 34 States, and tele-radiology in 12 States/UTs. The Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme has benefitted more than 28 lakh patients, saving Rs. 8,725 crores in OOPE. Emergency response systems like the National Ambulance Services (NAS) and Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) have extended services to remote areas. The Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) was launched in 2021. Key initiatives include the establishment of 18,802 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, 602 Critical Care Hospital Blocks, and 730 District Integrated Public Health Labs. The NHM has engaged 5.23 lakh additional health workers, including 1.18 lakh Community Health Officers (CHOs). Introduced in 2018, the CHO cadre bridges the gap between community-level health workers and medical officers. The last 11 years have laid a foundation for universal healthcare. The nation is poised to achieve its vision of accessible, affordable, and equitable healthcare for all. The writer is Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare
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Business Standard
29-06-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
India refutes Lancet report, says unvaccinated child rate now lower
Amid recent reports flagging India as a country with a high burden of unvaccinated children, the Centre on Saturday said that the percentage of zero dose children in the total population had declined from 0.11 per cent in 2023 to 0.06 per cent in 2024. For operational purposes, international agencies define zero dose children as infants who have not received the first dose of the DTP (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis) vaccine. According to a recent Lancet report, 15.7 million children globally had not received any doses of the DTP vaccine in their first year of life in 2023. India had the second highest burden, at 1.44 million, after Nigeria. The report also grouped India among eight countries that accounted for more than half of the world's zero dose children. These included Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Indonesia and Brazil. Responding to the findings, the Union Health Ministry said that any comparison of India with countries with a high burden of unvaccinated children must take into account its large population size and high vaccination coverage under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP). The ministry said it provides free vaccination services annually to 29 million pregnant women and 26 million infants aged zero to one year under the UIP. It added that the Centre, in consultation with all states and union territories, has launched targeted campaigns to address challenges among zero dose children. 'These campaigns particularly target regions such as urban slums, peri-urban areas, migratory populations, hard-to-reach regions, and communities affected by vaccine hesitancy,' the ministry said. It also claimed that India's antigen-wise immunisation coverage is already surpassing global averages across all antigens. Citing the WHO and Unicef Estimates of National Immunisation Coverage (WUENIC) report for 2023, the ministry said India's national DTP-1 coverage stood at 93 per cent, with 24.7 million out of 26.5 million infants covered. This was higher than Nigeria's 70 per cent coverage during the same period. The ministry further noted a reduction in the dropout rate from DTP-1 to DTP-3—from 7 per cent in 2013 to 2 per cent in 2023—and an increase in measles coverage from 83 per cent in 2013 to 93 per cent in 2023. 'Therefore, any interpretation or analysis based on isolated factors does not lend credence to the country's progress on its immunisation programme,' it said.
Time of India
28-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Zero-dose children in India declined from 0.11% in 2023 to 0.06% in 2024: Union Health Ministry
New Delhi: The percentage of zero-dose children (Those who have not received a single vaccine ) in India has declined from 0.11% in 2023 to 0.06% in 2024, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The ministry attributed the achievement to continued and sustained efforts and intensified implementation of vaccination drives and campaigns across the country. These achievements have positioned India as a global exemplar in child health, as acknowledged by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) in its 2024 report. India has been bestowed with the prestigious Measles and Rubella Champion Award by The Measles and Rubella Partnership (American Red Cross, BMGF, GAVI, US CDC, UNF, UNICEF, and WHO) at the American Red Cross Headquarters in Washington, DC, USA on March 6th, 2024, for its committed endeavours, said the ministry. The effect of the increased number of lifesaving vaccines in reducing mortality and morbidity in children due to diarrhea, pneumonia, meningitis & encephalitis is also clearly observable. As per the latest SRS (2020-22), the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of India has declined from 130/lakh live births in 2014-16 to 88/lakh live births in 2020-22. As per the United Nations Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (UN-MMEIG 2000-2023) report, the MMR of India stands at 80 per lakh live births, reflecting an 86% decline relative to the global reduction of 48% since 1990. As per the United Nations Inter-Agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNIGME 2024 Report), India achieved a 78% decline in the Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR) surpassing the global reduction of 61% and 70% decline in the Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) compared to 54% globally during 1990 - 2023. In addition to focused attention on increasing vaccination coverage, India's Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) embodies a comprehensive range of vaccines recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Till 2013, there were only six available vaccines in the program. From 2014, six new vaccines (namely Inactivated Polio-virus Vaccine, Rotavirus Vaccine (RVV), Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV), Measles-Rubella Vaccine, Adult Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine and Tetanus-Diphtheria Vaccine) have been introduced in the programme. Currently, India's UIP covers 12 vaccine-preventable diseases and has seen significant expansion. With continued focus on improving vaccine coverage, India has taken a proactive and inclusive approach to reach underserved populations. The Govt of India, in consultation with all States/UTs, has launched targeted campaigns to address challenges among zero-dose children, particularly in urban slums, peri-urban areas, migratory populations, hard-to-reach regions, and communities affected by vaccine hesitancy. These efforts are also aligned with the National goal of eliminating Measles and Rubella. "To amplify our reach, we are leveraging technology and community engagement. The U-WIN platform tracks immunisation status digitally, ensuring no child is missed. Public awareness campaigns are being intensified using mass media, community radio, social media, and even street plays to educate families. Healthcare workers, ASHAs, and ANMs will go door-to-door, not just to vaccinate, but to sensitise the beneficiaries about the benefits of vaccination," the ministry said in a press release. Some key initiatives include: Zero Dose Implementation Plan 2024: Rolled out across 143 districts in 11 states with a high burden of unvaccinated children. Mission Indradhanush (Since 2014): Intensified in 2017 in collaboration with state governments, it has vaccinated 5.46 crore children and 1.32 crore pregnant women previously unreached or under-vaccinated. Pulse Polio Campaigns: Through National Immunization Days (NIDs) and Sub-National Immunization Days (SNIDs), India has maintained polio-free status since 2014. Village Health and Nutrition Days (VHNDs): Organized regularly for immunization and outreach activities at the community level. Multi-tiered Task Forces: State (STFI), District (DTFI), and Block (BTFI) level task forces ensure coordinated and effective implementation. Regular IEC (Information, Education, Communication) Campaigns: Help increase awareness and combat vaccine hesitancy. The annual birth cohort in India (2.6 crore) exceeds the total population of several countries, including New Zealand, Australia, Finland, and Switzerland. Given the varying sizes of the countries across the globe, the percentage comparison shows it at par with the vaccination coverage levels observed in many high-income countries for e.g., New Zealand (DTP-1 93%), Germany & Finland (DPT-3 91%), Sweden (MCV-1 93%), Luxembourg (MCV-2 90%), Ireland (PCV-3 83%), United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Rota C 90%). ( WUNEIC report 2023). The comparative results of countries on zero dose children as a percentage of the total population shows that Yemen (1.68%), Sudan (1.45%), Angola (1.1%), Afghanistan (1.1%), Nigeria (0.98%), DR Congo (0.82%), Ethiopia (0.72%), Indonesia (0.23%), Pakistan (0.16%) have far more zero dose children as a percentage of their population compared to India's (0.11% during 2023 as per the last Wuneic report released. Any comparison of India with any other countries with high burden zero-dose children needs to take into consideration India's large population size and high vaccination coverage rate. Therefore, any interpretation or analysis based on isolated factors does not lend credence to the country's progress on its immunisation program, said the ministry. The Universal immunisation program has always been prioritised by the Government of India to ensure that the children of our country are protected against deadly diseases. Elimination of Polio in 2014 and Maternal & Neonatal Tetanus in 2015, and the recent launch of the Measles Rubella campaign in 2025 is a testament to the fact. With focused strategies and committed healthcare workers, the endeavour will always be last-mile delivery to ensure comprehensive vaccination coverage. Vaccination remains one of the most powerful and cost-effective public health interventions. India's unwavering commitment to immunization is evident through its Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), which provides free vaccination services annually to 2.9 crore pregnant women and 2.6 crore infants (0-1 year).
