kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Kolkata, May 30: West Bengal on Saturday launched a statewide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme aimed at preventing cervical cancer among adolescent girls. The state government has decided to provide the cervical cancer vaccine free of cost, marking a significant step in strengthening preventive healthcare and women's health initiatives across the state.

The statewide vaccination campaign was formally inaugurated by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari from Bidhannagar Hospital in Kolkata. With support from the central government, the programme commenced simultaneously in districts across West Bengal, making the vaccine available to eligible beneficiaries through designated healthcare facilities.

The launch ceremony at Bidhannagar Hospital was attended by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari along with senior health officials and political leaders. Also present at the event was Samik Bhattacharya, the West Bengal BJP President. The programme is being viewed as a major public health initiative designed to reduce the risk of cervical cancer, one of the most common forms of cancer affecting women.

The Chief Minister announced that cervical cancer vaccines would be administered through 235 healthcare centres across the state, including hospitals and medical colleges. He stated that the vaccination drive would primarily target girls between the ages of 14 and 15 years, a group considered particularly suitable for receiving the HPV vaccine before potential exposure to the virus.

The Chief Minister, the central government has supplied 772,650 vaccine doses for the programme. These doses will be distributed across the state's healthcare network to ensure that eligible adolescent girls can receive the vaccine free of charge. Health authorities expect the initiative to play an important role in reducing future cervical cancer cases and improving long-term public health outcomes.

The vaccination programme, Suvendu Adhikari also announced several measures aimed at improving healthcare services in district hospitals. He emphasized the government's commitment to reducing unnecessary patient referrals from district healthcare facilities to larger hospitals in Kolkata and other urban centres.

The Chief Minister stated that the government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy regarding avoidable patient referrals. He said efforts would be made to ensure that patients receive appropriate treatment at district-level hospitals whenever possible, thereby reducing inconvenience for families and easing pressure on tertiary healthcare institutions.

To address concerns regarding referral practices and alleged middlemen operating within the healthcare system, Adhikari announced the introduction of a live monitoring mechanism. The proposed system is intended to track patient referrals in real time and help authorities identify irregularities or misuse of the referral process.

He further revealed that a dedicated control room would be established to monitor district hospitals across West Bengal. The control room is expected to oversee healthcare services, referral patterns, and patient management, allowing authorities to intervene promptly when necessary.

The Chief Minister also disclosed that action has already been taken against the MSVP (Medical Superintendent-cum-Vice Principal) of Kolkata Medical College following complaints related to patient referrals. He indicated that the government would continue to take strict measures against any irregularities affecting healthcare delivery.

The launch of the HPV vaccination programme, combined with the government's announced reforms in hospital monitoring and patient referral management, represents a significant public health initiative aimed at improving preventive healthcare, strengthening medical services, and enhancing access to quality treatment across West Bengal.