Dimapur District Task Force on Immunisation reviews cervical cancer data.
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DIMAPUR — The Dimapur District Task Force on Immunisation (DTFI) meeting held at the DC Conference Hall, Dimapur, on Friday reviewed the global and national scenario of cervical cancer and the importance of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination ahead of the district-wide campaign.
Chairing the meeting, Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur, Dr. Tinojongshi Chang, thanked all members and stakeholders for attending and called upon departments and partners to actively disseminate information to ensure maximum coverage of eligible beneficiaries, a DIPR report stated.
R Khartu Monsang, regional project officer, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), presented a detailed PowerPoint highlighting the global status of HPV vaccine introduction.
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As per World Health Organisation (WHO) data, 155 out of 194 countries have included the HPV vaccine in their national immunisation programmes. In the South-East Asia Region, nine out of eleven countries have introduced the vaccine, he said.
The presentation also outlined the global burden of cervical cancer. According to Globocan 2022, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide, with an estimated 6,62,300 new cases and 3,48,874 deaths in 2022.
The global age-standardised incidence stands at 14.1 per 1,00,000 women per year, while mortality is 7.1 per 1,00,000 women per year. It was highlighted that without effective prevention and control measures, new cases could rise significantly by 2030.
Officials stated that cervical cancer affects the lower end of the uterus, known as the cervix, and that nearly 99.7 percent of cases are caused by persistent infection with high-risk types of HPV.
Though HPV infection is common and often asymptomatic, persistent infection can lead to cervical cancer.
The meeting also discussed the WHO’s global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2030, which includes achieving the 90-70-90 targets — 90 percent of girls fully vaccinated with HPV vaccine by age 15, 70 percent of women screened with a high-performance test, and 90 percent of women identified with cervical disease receiving treatment.
Highlighting the Indian scenario (NCRP-ICMR, 2022), the presentation noted that cervical cancer is the second leading cancer among women in India.
The age-standardised incidence rate is 11.6 per 1,00,000 women per year and mortality rate is 5.1 per 1,00,000 women per year. In 2022, India recorded an estimated 79,103 new cases and 34,805 deaths due to cervical cancer.
Dr. Rongsennungla, District Programme Officer (UIP & RCH), CMO Office Dimapur, provided an overview of the HPV vaccination campaign in the district.
She informed that the campaign will target girls aged 14 years (those who have completed 14 years but not yet turned 15) and will be implemented for three months at designated Cold Chain Points (CCPs).
The vaccine to be administered is Gardasil (quadrivalent), covering serotypes 6, 11, 16 and 18. The dose is 0.5 mL, administered intramuscularly in the left upper arm, and requires storage at +2°C to +8°C under strict cold chain management.
The vaccination will be carried out at health facilities equipped with cold chain points and internet connectivity for U-WIN portal registration.
The team will comprise vaccinators (ANM/LHV/Nurse), mobilisers (ASHA/AWW/Link Workers), verifiers and other health staff.
The meeting also reiterated that the nationwide HPV vaccination campaign for all girls aged 14 years is being launched on February 28, with the Prime Minister of India scheduled to virtually launch the programme from Ajmer, Rajasthan.
The Dimapur district campaign will commence from March 2 at identified health facilities, with officials expressing confidence that coordinated efforts and community awareness will ensure the success of the initiative aimed at preventing cervical cancer and safeguarding the health of adolescent girls.