Cancer vaccine for women likely in 5-6 months: Union minister
What's the story
Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav has announced that a new vaccine for cancers affecting women will be available in five to six months. The vaccine will be administered to girls aged nine to 16 years. Jadhav, who is the Union Minister of State for Health, Family Welfare and Ayush (Independent Charge), made the announcement at a press conference in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Tuesday.
Vaccine details
Vaccine trials underway, aims to combat specific cancers
Jadhav said research on the vaccine is almost complete and trials are underway. He added that this vaccine is specifically designed to fight breast, oral, and cervical cancers common among women. "The number of cancer patients has increased in the country, and the Central government has initiated steps to address this issue. Women above 30 will undergo screening at hospitals, and daycare cancer centres will be established for early detection of the disease," Jadhav said.
Healthcare measures
Government initiatives to address rising cancer cases
The government has also waived customs duty on medicines used in cancer treatment to make them more affordable for patients. When asked about healthcare facilities, Jadhav said that existing hospitals have Ayush departments at the disposal of the public. He said that there are currently 12,500 such health facilities across the country, with plans for further expansion in the pipeline.
Healthcare expansion
All government hospitals to get daycare cancer centers
During the recent budget session, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had also announced that the government will facilitate setting up of daycare cancer centers in all district hospitals over the next three years. The first phase of the project will see 200 such facilities set up within the fiscal year 2025-26. On Friday, a top ministry official stated that the Union Health Ministry has begun setting up 200 daycare cancer centers in over 750 district hospitals across the country.