Karnataka leads fight against cervical cancer with landmark initiative

Bengaluru: Karnataka has taken a groundbreaking step in eliminating cervical cancer, demonstrating a strategic and unified effort involving healthcare leaders, key organizations, and policymakers.

This significant movement was marked by a landmark event titled ‘Cervical Cancer Elimination Movement: From Awareness to Action’, reaffirming the state’s strong commitment to combating this preventable disease.

The event was graced by Dinesh Gundu Rao, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Karnataka, who expressed his unwavering support for the initiative.

“Today, I have joined hands with everyone here to make Karnataka cervical cancer-free,” he declared, standing alongside organizations such as ARTIST for Her, HDR Healthcare Foundation, Healthcare Sector Skill Council, ECHO India, Association of Healthcare Providers, and Karnataka State Obstetrics and Gynaecologists Association.

Esteemed individuals including Dr. Hema Divakar, Dr. Alex Thomas, Dr. Vishal, and Dr. Diwakar also played a pivotal role in this mission.

A major leap: Targeted HPV Immunization Drive

In a decisive move, the Minister announced a targeted immunization drive across five districts in Kalyana Karnataka, aiming to vaccinate all 14-year-old girls free of cost.

This initiative will be sustained annually to protect every girl reaching this age. Recognizing the urgency of the matter, Minister Rao also revealed that the government was evaluating a proposal to expand the vaccination drive to Chikkaballapur district.

“We are assessing how we can implement vaccinations for broader treatment coverage. Those screened and diagnosed will receive a 90 percent treatment success rate,” he assured, emphasizing his commitment to expediting the process.

Addressing barriers to diagnosis and treatment

Rao highlighted a significant challenge: many women hesitate to come forward for screening and diagnosis. To counter this, the state has leveraged the Gruha Arogya Scheme, successfully screening over 10,000 women. These health camps not only raise awareness but also encourage women to get checked at health sub-centres.

The Minister urged greater participation in screenings for cervical and breast cancer, as well as 15 other critical health conditions. Patients requiring further care would be referred to hospitals for advanced treatment, he said.

Paving way for a cervical cancer-free Karnataka

With over 4,560 girls vaccinated and 1,500 women screened so far, Rao expressed confidence in the success of this initiative.

He emphasized that the Chikkaballapur cervical cancer drive would serve as a model for a statewide rollout.

“We will assess the results and expedite the initiative across Karnataka,” he assured, underscoring the government’s resolve to turn this vision into reality.

Dr. Hema Divakar, Divisional Director of Well Women Health Care at FIGO and a key advocate for this movement, underscored the role of ARTIST for Her in leading research and training programmes to equip healthcare professionals with specialized expertise.

She also commended the HDR Healthcare Foundation for its large-scale HPV vaccination efforts, which have significantly improved access and awareness among communities.