Imphal, February 28 (NationPress) - The Chief Minister of Manipur, Yumnam Khemchand Singh, officially launched 33 ambulances specifically designated for maternity services across various districts on Saturday. This initiative aims to enhance the delivery of maternal and child healthcare throughout all 16 districts of the state.

According to health officials, these ambulances were financed by the North Eastern Council (NEC) and acquired by the Directorate of Health Services in Manipur, thereby reinforcing maternal and child healthcare services statewide.

In addition, the Chief Minister participated in the nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Campaign targeting 14-year-old girls to combat cervical cancer at the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) located in Imphal East district.

This initiative was virtually inaugurated across all states and Union Territories by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Ajmer, Rajasthan.

During the launch, the Chief Minister toured the registration area, vaccination room, and observation room at JNIMS.

Singh engaged with medical professionals, nurses, and beneficiaries, presenting a vaccination certificate to a young girl who had received the HPV vaccine. He also assessed the internal roads of the JNIMS campus and evaluated the state of its infrastructure.

In his address, Prime Minister Modi emphasized that the government is unwavering in its commitment to ensuring the health and prosperity of the nation’s daughters. He characterized the nationwide HPV vaccination initiative as a pivotal step in preventive healthcare aimed at shielding girls against cervical cancer.

The HPV vaccine is designed to protect girls from the Human Papillomavirus, which is the predominant cause of cervical cancer, one of the most prevalent cancers affecting women.

This vaccination is being provided to girls aged 14-15 years as part of a targeted campaign.

Launched as a single-dose regimen, this program represents a significant stride towards the prevention of cervical cancer and the safeguarding of future generations' health.

In Mizoram, the Health and Family Welfare Minister, Lalrinpuii, praised Prime Minister Modi for his vital initiatives aimed at improving women’s healthcare across India. During an event, she expressed alarm over Mizoram's highest cancer incidence rate per lakh population among Indian states.

She noted that the Director of Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, a leading facility where many Mizo cancer patients receive treatment, has indicated that the unusually high cancer rates among Mizos are largely linked to excessive tobacco consumption, unhealthy lifestyles, and poor dietary choices.

According to medical research, high consumption of smoked and processed meats, pork fat, and prevalent tobacco use are leading contributors to the elevated cancer rates in the state. Among women cancer patients in India, breast cancer is the most common, followed by cervical cancer.

Recognizing that 99.7 percent of cervical cancer cases are attributed to HPV, she welcomed the government’s initiative to provide the HPV vaccine free of charge as a preventive measure.

The Minister encouraged adolescent girls, especially those aged 14 and above, to take advantage of the HPV vaccination.

Expressing appreciation for the commitment and effort of healthcare workers at all levels, from the Directorate to sub-centres, Lalrinpuii acknowledged their ongoing dedication to enhancing public health services throughout the state.

Other Northeastern states have also joined this nationwide HPV vaccination campaign.