Maharashtra Health Department rolls out HPV vaccine for girls on Women’s Day

The State Health Department on Sunday (March 8, 2026) launched a vaccination marketing campaign in opposition to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) for girls aged 9 to 14 years. The initiative, rolled out on Worldwide Women’s Day, targets inoculating roughly 9.84 lakh girls throughout the State to stop cervical most cancers.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde launched the marketing campaign in Mumbai. He stated the choice to manage the vaccine is a safety measure in opposition to a rising well being concern. “With altering existence and growing stress, the incidence of significant ailments is rising. Following the precept that prevention is healthier than remedy, this vaccination drive is a big step,” Mr. Shinde stated.

Recalling the ‘Mom is protected, household is protected’ initiative from his tenure as Chief Minister, he famous that three crore ladies have been screened. He acknowledged that round 10,000 ladies have been identified with most cancers at an early stage throughout that marketing campaign, enabling well timed intervention.

Mr. Shinde added that eight mammography screening autos deployed in villages have screened 2.91 crore ladies up to now. He stated the federal government would contemplate procuring extra autos if required, with funding probably sourced from the District Planning and Growth Council (DPDC), the Goa, Daman and Diu (GDR) fund, or the State well being price range.

On well being infrastructure, the Deputy Chief Minister stated a number of hospital buildings within the state are 60 to 70% full. He acknowledged that efforts are being made to safe funding at low rates of interest from establishments such because the Asian Growth Financial institution and the World Financial institution to finish them. Approval has additionally been granted to develop well being infrastructure by means of the public-private partnership (PPP) mannequin.

Mr. Shinde stated roughly ₹450 crore was disbursed from the Chief Minister’s Reduction Fund to 70,000-80,000 sufferers throughout his tenure as Chief Minister. He added that the fund continues to supply help below the present administration.

On the event, the Health Department felicitated ladies medical doctors, surgeons, nurses, and well being employees for their contributions to public well being. Health Minister Prakash Abitkar, Minister of State for Health Meghna Bordikar, Principal Secretary (Health) Nipun Vinayak, and Health Commissioner Dr. have been current.