Lok Sabha Question No. 3001 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-13
Subject: Indigenous Cervical Cancer Vaccination
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Tejasvi Surya

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3001 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13 TH DECEMBER, 2024

## INDIGENOUS CERVICAL CANCER VACCINATION

## 3001. SHRI TEJASVI SURYA:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) the statistical date of lmplementation of the National Programme For Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke (NPCDCS);

(b) the details of the status ofresearch and development of Indigenous Cervical Cancer Vaccination;

- (c) whether the Government has any plan to include immunization of 9-14 year old adolescent girl children with cervical cancer vaccination / HPV vaccine under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure the success of the program across the country;
- (e) whether the Government is planning to start breast cancer screening as a countrywide population-based screening at the Primary Health Centre (PHC) level under the National Health Mission and if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the steps taken by the Government to reduce tobacco usage and promote cancer prevention in the country?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a): The Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India provides technical and financial support to the States/UTs under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) as part of National Health Mission (NHM) since 2010. The programme focusses on strengthening infrastructure, human resource development, early diagnosis, referral to an appropriate level of healthcare facility for treatment and management and health promotion and awareness generation for prevention of Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Under NP-NCD, 770 District NCD Clinics, 372 District Day Care Centres, 233 Cardiac Care units and 6410 Community Health Center NCD Clinics have been set up.

(b): 'CERVAVAC' is India's first indigenously developed vaccine for the prevention of cervical cancer.

(c) & (d): Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine is not a part of the Universal Immunization Programme.

(e): A population-based initiative for screening, management and prevention of common NCDs including breast cancer have been rolled out as a part of comprehensive Primary Health Care in the country under National Health Mission (NHM). As per National NCD Portal, 14.33 crore women have been screened for breast cancer as on 8 th December 2024.

(f): The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) is working to reduce tobacco use and to help people quit the habit. A key initiative in this regard is the Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign. On May 31, 2023, the MoHFW first launched a 60-day Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign, The campaign was implemented across all States and UTs. The MoHFW has launched Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 2.0 in 2024, with expanded strategies and a stronger focus on social media engagement for educating and empowering the youth regarding the harmful effects of tobacco. One of the key strategies of this campaign is to enhance Tobacco Free Educational Institute (ToFEI) compliance. In addition, this year, the campaign has introduced a new component aimed at strengthening its social media presence to engage youth and raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco use and emerging tobacco products. This strategy includes consistent and impactful online messaging across key social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook, engaging young people and empowering them to lead healthier, tobacco-free lives.

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