India's Cervical Cancer Screening and Prevention Efforts

A total of 4.71 crore women have been screened for cervical cancer in India, per the National NCD portal. The government has no plans to switch to HPV DNA testing. The Ayushman Arogya Mandirs provide screening for NCDs, bolstered by the National Health Mission, and initiatives for cancer prevention and awareness continue.

In India's ongoing efforts to combat cervical cancer, 4.71 crore women have been screened, according to the National Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) portal. This information was shared by Minister of State for Health Prataprap Jadhav in the Lok Sabha.

The government is currently not considering a switch from Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) to HPV DNA testing for cervical cancer screening. Instead, the focus remains on screening for common non-communicable diseases, including oral and breast cancer, as part of the Ayushman Arogya Mandirs initiative. As of July 9, 2024, 1,73,546 such centers have been operationalized across India.

Other governmental initiatives include the proposed introduction of the HPV vaccine for girls aged 9 to 14, support for states and UTs under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of non-communicable diseases (NP-NCD), and various awareness campaigns. These programs aim to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, human resource development, and promote early diagnosis and management of cancers.

(With inputs from agencies.)