Intensify HPV vaccine drive: Mandya ZP CEO

Mandya: Zilla panchayat CEO KR Nandini directed health department officials to intensify efforts to ensure that all eligible girls aged 14 to 15.5 years receive the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which helps prevent cervical cancer.Chairing a review meeting of the special HPV vaccination campaign at the zilla panchayat hall on Saturday, Nandini stressed the need to address misconceptions and misinformation surrounding the vaccine among parents and the public. She noted that cervical cancer, caused by the HPV virus, is among the most common cancers affecting women. She emphasised that the vaccine is safe, scientifically validated and highly effective in preventing the disease.Pointing to discrepancies in data maintained by the health and education departments regarding the number of eligible beneficiaries, she instructed officials to verify the figures and submit an updated report within a week. A total of 12,650 HPV vaccine doses have been supplied to Mandya district, of which 7,443 doses have been administered, achieving 59% utilisation as of June 20.Appealing to the public not to pay heed to rumours, she urged parents to ensure that all eligible girls receive the vaccine. She directed ASHA workers, health staff, and anganwadi workers to conduct door-to-door awareness campaigns and instructed the health department, the department of public education, and the department of women and child development to work in close coordination.

Meanwhile, she directed health officials to ensure comprehensive child health screenings under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), with a special focus on four key indicators—defects at birth, diseases, deficiencies and developmental delays, including disabilities. She expressed concern over the unusually low number of cases reported from Malavalli and KR Pet taluks.She also instructed officials to ensure that children suffering from severe acute malnutrition are admitted to nutritional rehabilitation centres, while families of children with moderate acute malnutrition receive counselling on balanced diets and healthy feeding practices.Nandini called for greater awareness among pregnant women and lactating mothers on nutrition, and urged health workers to dispel myths and harmful practices contributing to malnutrition.