Karnataka govt launches initiative to combat cervical cancer

New Delhi: The Karnataka Movement, “Accelerating Cervical Cancer Elimination – CCE,” has been officially initiated by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka. The objective of this initiative is to decrease the prevalence of cervical cancer in the state by focusing on vaccination, screening, and preventive care. Karnataka aims to set an example for efforts to eliminate cervical cancer in India through this program.

The launch event took place at Vikas Soudha in Bengaluru, officiated by Dinesh Gundu Rao, the Hon’ble Minister of Health & Family Welfare. In his keynote address, Rao emphasized, “Our government is dedicated to making cervical cancer prevention, screening, and treatment accessible to every woman, ensuring early detection and timely intervention to save lives.”

The event also featured a gathering of prominent figures from the healthcare community, including Dr. Hema Divakar, FIGO Division Director and former FOGSI President; Dr. Alexander Thomas, Founder & Patron of the Association of Healthcare Providers of India (AHPI); Dr. Vishal Rao, Chief of Head & Neck Surgical Oncology & Robotic Surgery at HCG Cancer Centre, Bengaluru; and Dr. H. Sudarshan, Trustee of ECHO India.

Dr. Hema Divakar underscored the importance of collective action, stating, “While national efforts are underway, Karnataka must take the lead in driving awareness and implementing vaccination and screening strategies in alignment with the WHO’s 90-70-90 strategy.” She expressed hope that Karnataka could set a precedent for other states to follow by fostering partnerships at both state and global levels.

Echoing her sentiments, Dr. Vishal Rao highlighted the necessity of adhering to WHO guidelines to maximize the initiative’s effectiveness. “We are committed to following the WHO’s directives closely to ensure the impact and reach of the Karnataka Movement,” he affirmed.

Dr. H. Sudarshan urged the government to prioritize the immunization of young girls, stating, “While we have made great strides in screening and building capacity for cervical cancer prevention, we must now focus on ensuring that young girls are vaccinated, securing a healthier future for the community.”

The initiative also emphasizes leveraging technology and training to drive success. Dr. Alexander Thomas highlighted the importance of training and certification for healthcare providers, advocating for the use of digital platforms like ECHO to standardize training and bring quality care across Karnataka.“Through empanelled institutions like ARTIST, we aim to standardize training and bring quality care to every corner of Karnataka,” he stated.

By focusing on prevention, early detection, and treatment, the launch of “CCE: The Karnataka Movement” aims to make cervical cancer a preventable and treatable condition, ultimately reducing its burden on the state’s healthcare system.