Chikkaballapur chosen for pilot study in cervical cancer elimination programme: Dinesh Gundu Rao

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Wednesday announced that Chikkaballapur has been chosen for a pilot study on the cervical cancer elimination programme. A programme to this effect will be launched soon, he added. The minister said this at an event, Cervical Cancer Elimination Movement from Awareness to Action Cervical Cancer Free Karnataka programme, held on Wednesday in Bengaluru.

The pilot project is done is coordination with ARTIST for HER, HDR Healthcare Foundation, Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC), ECHO India, Association of Healthcare Providers India (AHPI), and the Karnataka State Obstetrics and Gynaecology Association (KSOGA). "There would be no financial burden on Chikkaballapur for the proposed pilot project implementation, though it is ready to meet a nominal expenditure. A final call will be taken soon. Chikkaballapur would serve as a model to the entire state," said Minister Rao. According to him, women are hesitant to undergo pap smear tests, making cervical cancer prevention more complicated, said the minister.

He also said the aim of the project is to bring together policymakers, healthcare experts, and opinion leaders to accelerate efforts towards the 90-70-90 goal for a cervical cancer-free Karnataka. The 90-70-90 target refers to full vaccination with the human papillomavirus (HPV) of 90 percent girls by the age of 15, screening of 70 percent women and treatment of 90 percent women diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Rao also said the programme to vaccinate 14-year-old girls against cervical cancer free of cost has been launched in parts of five backward districts of Kalyana Karnataka. "If HPV vaccination can help prevent the death of women due to cervical cancer, then the government must provide the service," he added. The minister said under 'Gruha Arogya' programme, which will come into effect from April 1, awareness will be spread door to door.