In 2020, 18 out of every 100,000 women in India were diagnosed with cervical cancer, with a mortality rate of 11.4 per 100,000 people.
Published Mar 14, 2025 | 1:57 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 14, 2025 | 1:57 PM
The World Health Organization has recommended including HPV vaccines in national immunisation programmes, particularly for girls aged 9-14, to significantly reduce the risk of infection.
Synopsis: Tamil Nadu’s decision to provide girls aged 14 and above with HPV vaccines came even as the Union government is yet to decide on the scheme.
Tamil Nadu will provide human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines to all girls aged 14 and above to prevent cervical cancer.
Presenting the Budget for the financial year 2025-26 on Friday, 14 March, Tamil Nadu’s Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu earmarked ₹36 crore to provide HPV vaccines to girls.
“In order to prevent cervical cancer and completely eradicate the disease in Tamil Nadu, the government has planned to progressively provide HPV vaccination to all girls aged 14 years,” he announced.
“An amount of ₹36 crore has been allocated for this purpose for the year 2025-26,” he added.
Tamil Nadu’s decision to provide the HPV vaccine to girls came even as the Union government was still deliberating the rollout of the scheme to fight cervical cancer.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended including HPV vaccines in national immunisation programmes, particularly for girls aged 9-14, to significantly reduce the risk of infection.
In 2020, 18 out of every 100,000 women in India were diagnosed with cervical cancer, with a mortality rate of 11.4 per 100,000 people.
The Budget has allocated ₹21,906 crore to the Health and Family Welfare Department.
Tamil Nadu is among the states with the highest incidence of cancer in the country.
To ensure quality cancer treatment and comprehensive care services for all, the state remains committed to strengthening cancer care, Thenarasu said.
“In line with this objective, the Government Arignar Anna Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Institute in Karapettai, Kanchipuram district, has been designated as a state-level nodal cancer centre. It is set to be upgraded into an autonomous facility with 800 beds, offering world-class cancer diagnosis, treatment, palliative care, and related services. A sum of ₹120 crore will be provided over the next two years for this purpose,” he announced.
To facilitate early cancer detection using advanced diagnostic methods, the government would enhance medical equipment and manpower in secondary and medical college hospitals, with an estimated allocation of ₹110 crore over the next three years.
“Additionally, to ensure that healthcare services reach women at their doorstep, mobile medical teams, in collaboration with NGOs, will offer screening for major cancers, heart diseases, and lifestyle counseling. A sum of ₹40 crore has been allocated for this initiative,” the minister added.
The finance minister highlighted the state’s ongoing efforts to combat the rising incidence of non-communicable diseases, emphasising the success of the ‘Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam’ initiative.
This noble programme has provided various healthcare services, including home visits and screenings for high blood pressure and diabetes, benefiting 2.2 crore people so far.
“In recognition of its efforts in planning and implementing exemplary programs for non-communicable disease control, the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu, has been awarded the ‘United Nations (UN) Interagency Task Force Award’ for 2024,” the minister said.
The state’s road safety and emergency care initiative, ‘Innuyir Kappom – Nammai Kakkum–48 Thittam’, launched to reduce road accident fatalities and associated medical expenses, has also made a significant impact.
So far, 723 hospitals, including 250 government and 473 private hospitals, have treated 3,43,156 beneficiaries at a cost of ₹302 crore, saving numerous lives.
The Budget allocated ₹2,754 crore for the National Health Mission, ₹1,092 crore for the Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme, ₹1,461 crore for the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme, and ₹348 crore for ambulance services.
Additionally, the government has announced a Master Health Checkup programme for construction workers above the age of 40 registered with the Construction Workers Welfare Board.
This initiative aims to diagnose and treat occupational diseases, including musculoskeletal disorders, benefiting 16.70 lakh construction workers across the state.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
