STATE TIMES NEWS
UDHAMPUR: Deputy Commissioner Udhampur Minga Sherpa today visited the Associated Hospital of Government Medical College (GMC) Udhampur and inaugurated the National HPV campaign against cervical cancer.
The event was attended by the Medical College Principal, Chief Medical Officer, Medical Superintendent Associated Hospital and other senior officers of the Health and Medical Education Department.
During the visit, the DC inspected different sections of the hospital, including the OPD, CT Scan, X-Ray, Diagnostic unit, Surgical unit, General Medicine Department and Trauma Centre.
The DC also chaired a detailed review meeting with the GMC administration to evaluate the overall functioning of the Associated Hospital. The meeting assessed staff strength, OPD services, infrastructure status, availability of medicines and diagnostic facilities, besides the progress of ongoing works including the construction of the 200-bedded District Hospital and the makeshift building of the GMC.
Emphasizing the importance of punctuality and patient-friendly services, the Deputy Commissioner directed the hospital administration to ensure timely delivery of services and maintain proper hygiene and sanitation across the premises.
KATHUA: A district-wide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination drive was launched today from Government Medical College Kathua to protect adolescent girls against cervical cancer caused by HPV.
The campaign is being implemented by the District Health Department in coordination with the School Education and other allied departments.
Member Legislative Assembly Kathua, Dr. Bharat Bhushan and Deputy Commissioner, Rajesh Sharma inaugurated the drive and flagged off the phased immunization campaign across the district.
The MLA highlighted the importance of preventive healthcare and awareness in reducing the incidence of life-threatening diseases. He said that cervical cancer remains a major health concern among women and emphasized that timely vaccination is a safe and effective preventive measure.
The DC reiterated the district administration’s commitment towards strengthening public health initiatives and informed that the vaccination drive will be conducted in a phased manner across 27 designated centres in the district. He directed the concerned officers to ensure strict adherence to cold chain protocols, effective awareness generation and close inter-departmental coordination for achieving cent percent target coverage. He called upon parents, teachers and community leaders to actively support the campaign to ensure maximum coverage.
The Chief Medical Officer Dr Vijay Raina informed that the vaccination drive would target girls in the eligible age group as per Government of India guidelines and assured that adequate arrangements have been put in place for smooth implementation of the programme.
Among others present included Principal GMC, Dr Surinder Attri; Chief Education Officer Kewal Krishan and officers from different departments.
RAMBAN: District administration Ramban led by Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Alyas Khan, today launched the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination drive in the district to safeguard adolescent girls against cervical cancer.
The vaccination drive was formally inaugurated by ADC Varunjeet Singh Charak at District Hospital Ramban. A total of 11 health centres have been identified across the district to facilitate vaccination of the targeted population.
The ADC said that all necessary arrangements have been put in place by the administration, including availability of trained manpower, proper cold chain management and logistics support to ensure smooth implementation of the programme. He stressed the importance of coordinated efforts among all stakeholders to ensure smooth and timely vaccination, proper awareness generation and 100 percent coverage of all eligible beneficiaries within the prescribed timeline. He directed the concerned officers to maintain close monitoring so that no eligible beneficiary is left out.
Chief Medical Officer Kamal Je Zadu informed that an estimated 3,304 girls aged around 14 years have been identified as the target group in the district. Out of these, 2,789 girls have already been verified through headcount surveys conducted by ASHAs, Anganwadi Workers and other field functionaries. He further added that all identified health facilities have functional cold chain points to ensure vaccine quality, dedicated Medical Officers for management of Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) and the required IT infrastructure for implementation of U-WIN.
Medical Superintendent District Hospital Dr. Surdashan Katoch; District Immunization Officer, Block Medical Officer Batote and other officers of the Health & Family Welfare Department Ramban were present on the occasion.
DODA: The live streaming of nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was today held at DC Office Doda in the presence of the District Development Commissioner (DDC) Krishan Lal, medical professionals and other officers and health officials.
Later, the DDC visited the Associated Hospital, Government Medical College (GMC) and inaugurated the HPV vaccination drive at OPD Block.
During the visit, the DDC interacted with students, doctors and healthcare staff, appreciating their efforts in implementing the vaccination programme and spreading awareness about the importance of early prevention and timely vaccination. He emphasized the need for active participation of educational institutions, health workers and the community to ensure maximum coverage under the campaign.
The vaccination drive was also launched across all subdivisions of the district, including Bhaderwah, Thathri, Gandoh and Assar to ensure wider outreach and accessibility of the life-saving vaccine to eligible beneficiaries.
SAMBA: The National HPV Vaccination Campaign was successfully launched today at District Hospital Samba under the aegis of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. The programme was formally inaugurated by the Deputy Commissioner, Ayushi Sudan.
While addressing the gathering, the Deputy Commissioner highlighted the critical importance of preventive healthcare and adolescent immunization in reducing the burden of cervical cancer. She emphasized that timely vaccination is a vital step toward ensuring a healthier future for young girls and strengthening public health outcomes in the district.
The event was organized under the guidance of the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Vidh Bhatial and the Medical Superintendent, Dr. Mohinder Kumar.
During the launch event, awareness was generated among beneficiaries and their attendants regarding the importance, safety and long-term benefits of HPV vaccination in preventing cervical cancer.
Adhering strictly to prescribed vaccination protocols and safety guidelines, approximately 22 eligible girls were administered a single dose of Gardasil-4 vaccine. Vaccination certificates were issued to all beneficiaries.
KISHTWAR: The National HPV Vaccination Campaign, aimed at preventing cervical cancer was formally inaugurated at District Hospital Kishtwar by Deputy Commissioner, Pankaj Kumar Sharma.
Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner emphasized that HPV is a cancer-causing virus that affects females and can lead to cancer of the cervix, the lower part of the uterus. He highlighted that timely vaccination can significantly reduce the risk of cervical cancer and urged parents, teachers and community members to actively support the campaign to ensure a healthier future for young girls.
The DC said that with the campaign launch, the vaccination has been made available at District Hospital from today onwards and it will run for a period of three months. The block-wise roll-out of the campaign shall begin on March 2, 2026 (Monday).
“The vaccination drive will be carried out at all designated health institutions of SDH Paddar, CHC Marwah, PHC Dachan, PHC Kiru, PHC Nali, PHC Chatroo and PHC Afti as per the protocol including the cold storage facility,” the DC informed.
On the inaugural day, four eligible girls were administered the vaccine in the presence of the Deputy Commissioner. Necessary forms were completed and vaccination certificates were issued to the beneficiaries on the spot.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Yudhvir Singh informed that school authorities have been directed to bring eligible girls to the nearest vaccination centres. The drive will be conducted on a daily basis to ensure timely completion of the target.
The event was attended by ADC Pawan Kotwal and other senior officers and concerned staff members.
RAJOURI: Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Abhishek Sharma, today formally launched the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Campaign here at Town Hall, marking a significant step towards safeguarding adolescent girls against cervical cancer and promoting preventive healthcare in the district.
Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner informed that vaccine centres have been established at 31 locations across the district for the smooth and effective implementation of the drive. He directed the concerned officers to maintain close coordination and mobilize maximum participation of eligible beneficiaries to achieve the desired targets within the stipulated time frame. ADDC, Malikzada Sheraz-ul-Haq; Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Manohar Lal Rana; BMO Manjakote, Saleem Bhatti and other district and sectoral officers accompanied the Deputy Commissioner during the launch programme.
POONCH: A three-month Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign was formally launched today at District Hospital Poonch to protect adolescent girls from cervical cancer and strengthen preventive healthcare services in the district.
The campaign was inaugurated by Additional Deputy Commissioner Tahir Mustafa Malik for girls in the age group of 14 to 15 years.
The launch ceremony was attended by Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Parvaiz Ahmed Khan, Medical Superintendent District Hospital, Dr. Mohammad Shafeeq Chowdhury, Deputy CMO, Dr. Ruby Naz Bhatti, District Immunization Officer, Dr. Zoohra Parveen, along with other senior health officials and staff.
The campaign will run for three months across the district to ensure maximum coverage and awareness among eligible beneficiaries. Health officials urged parents and guardians to actively participate and support the initiative for a healthier future generation.
REASI: Deputy Commissioner Reasi, Kumar Abhishek today formally launched the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign for 14-year-old girls in the district from District Hospital Reasi. Several eligible girls were administered the vaccine to mark the launch.
The Deputy Commissioner interacted with the beneficiaries and encouraged them to take full advantage of the initiative. He informed that in the first phase of the campaign, 15 vaccination centres have been established across the district to ensure maximum coverage.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mohammad Ashraf Kolhi, District Immunization Officer Dr. Usha Kiran, Medical Superintendent Dr. Gopal Dutt and other officials of the Health Department were present on the occasion.
SUNDERBANI: In alignment with the nationwide launch of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Programme under the Government of India’s public health initiative, the programme was formally launched today at Sub District Hospital (SDH), Sunderbani.
The initiative is being implemented under the overall leadership of Abhishek Sharma, IAS, Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, and is being conducted under the direction of M.L. Rana, Chief Medical Officer Rajouri, ensuring systematic planning and effective implementation across the district.
The launch event at SDH Sunderbani was inaugurated by Ramkash Sharma, Additional Deputy Commissioner Sunderbani, who emphasized the importance of preventive healthcare and termed the HPV vaccine a landmark step toward the prevention of cervical cancer among women. He encouraged maximum community participation to ensure the success of this nationwide mission. The programme at the block level was organized under the supervision of Dr. Meena Kumari, Block Medical Officer, Sunderbani. She highlighted that the HPV vaccination drive is currently being administered to adolescent girls in the age group of 14 to 15 years, aiming to provide early protection against cervical cancer. She further appealed to parents and guardians to ensure that all eligible girls avail the benefits of this preventive vaccine. Medical officers, paramedical staff, ANMs, ASHAs, and other healthcare workers of SDH Sunderbani actively participated and ensured the smooth conduct of the launch programme. Awareness regarding the safety, efficacy, and long-term protective benefits of the HPV vaccine was also disseminated among beneficiaries and attendees.
The programme is being coordinated by Dr. Atul Sharma, Medical Officer, Sunderbani, who is serving as the Nodal Officer for the HPV Vaccination Programme. He ensured proper logistical arrangements, awareness generation, and seamless execution of the launch event.
Simultaneously, a similar launch event was conducted at PHC Upper Hathal under the supervision of Dr. Ashish Raina, Zonal Medical Officer, Hathal, where awareness about the importance, safety, and long-term benefits of HPV vaccination was disseminated among beneficiaries and community members. The healthcare staff ensured the smooth conduct of the programme at the zonal level.