Early Times Report
Jammu, July 27: In a landmark step towards preventive healthcare, the Union Territory of Ladakh took the lead on Saturday by launching a free-of-cost cervical cancer vaccination drive in Leh, making it the first region in India to begin such an initiative.
The campaign targets adolescent girls aged 15 to 18 years and aims to protect them against cervical cancer through timely immunization with the Gardasil-9 vaccine.
The drive was formally inaugurated by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama at Jewetsal Photang, Choglamsar, in the presence of local officials, healthcare professionals, and members of the civil society. The initiative is part of the LAHDC Leh Subsidy Scheme 2025, being implemented through the Medical Department Leh, in collaboration with the Phande Lekjin Welfare Society.
The vaccination campaign will roll out from August 5, following the reopening of schools after the summer vacation. Vaccinations will be administered across various sub-divisional hospitals in the district in two doses spaced six months apart, in line with national immunization guidelines. The focus will be on underprivileged and school-going adolescent girls, ensuring equitable access to essential healthcare.
The initiative is part of a broader series of welfare activities being observed under the banner of “Month of Compassion”, declared by LAHDC Leh to commemorate the 90th birth year of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Throughout July, the administration has been conducting various charitable and public service programs that reflect the values of compassion, care, and inclusivity championed by His Holiness.
A particularly emotional moment during the launch came when Jigmet Dolma, a specially-abled student from CWSN School Choshot Yokma, became the first recipient of the HPV vaccine. She received a warm blessing from His Holiness, underscoring the campaign’s inclusive vision to leave no child behind in healthcare access.
The drive has been launched under the guidance and leadership of Chairman/CEC Adv. Tashi Gyalson, whose commitment to youth welfare and public health was widely praised during the event.
Officials emphasized that early vaccination against cervical cancer is one of the most effective strategies to reduce long-term risk and ensure a healthier future for the region’s young women. |
