In a major push for preventive healthcare, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav on Saturday virtually launched a state-wide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign aimed at protecting adolescent girls from cervical cancer. Alongside this, the Government introduced ‘Mission Madhuhari’, a specialised initiative to provide comprehensive care for children and youth suffering from Type-1 diabetes. The HPV campaign, launched following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s nation-wide rollout from Ajmer, targets approximately 8 lakh girls in Madhya Pradesh. The State has already received over 7.58 lakh vaccine doses from the Centre to facilitate this free immunisation drive. The campaign will run for the next 90 days (March, April, and May) across 471 designated health centres, including medical colleges and district hospitals. Target Group: Girls who have completed their 14th year but are under 15.

 

Those turning 15 within 90 days of the campaign’s start are also eligible. Timing: Sessions will be held daily from 9 am to 2 pm. Vaccination is voluntary and requires mandatory parental consent. Registration will be handled via the U-Win portal, where guardians can register using their ID and mobile number. For the safety purpose, girls will be observed for 30 minutes post-vaccination. Health officials emphasised that the vaccine should not be taken on an empty stomach. A dedicated helpline (104) has been established for assistance. The State-level inauguration of the HPV vaccination campaign was performed by Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla at Dr Kailashnath Katju Hospital in Bhopal. Simultaneously, the Deputy CM inaugurated Mission Madhuhari, which is initially being rolled out across 16 districts in two divisions.

 

This mission is designed for children and adolescents whose bodies do not produce insulin, requiring lifelong management. Weekly Clinics: Specialised Type-1 diabetes clinics will now operate weekly in all district hospitals, providing insulin testing, expert consultations, and regular follow-ups under one roof. Free Kits: As a part of the launch, T1D (Type-1 Diabetes) kits, containing glucometers, test strips, and other essential equipment, were distributed to five girls. In the initial phase, 759 kits are being provided free of cost across the 16 identified districts. Addressing the event, Deputy CM Rajendra Shukla noted that cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in India, with a prevalence of 156 per lakh.

 

“Prevention is better than cure. This campaign is a decisive step toward a cervical cancer-free Madhya Pradesh,” he said. He further highlighted the State’s broader goals, including the “Hub and Spoke” model providing 85 types of tests at primary health centres, the promotion of telemedicine in rural areas, and the ongoing effort to establish a medical college in every Lok Sabha constituency. The Deputy CM also noted administrative progress such as the approval of Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA) for doctors and timely Ayushman incentive payments. The launch ceremony was attended by MLA Bhagwan Das Sabnani and Mayor Malti Rai along with senior health officials including ACS Health Ashok Barnwal and NHM MD Dr Saloni Sidana.