Free cervical cancer vaccination drive from May 30, Ayushman Bharat cards from July: CM Suvendu

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday announced that a free cervical cancer vaccination programme will begin in the state from May 30, while Ayushman Bharat cards for existing Swasthya Sathi beneficiaries will be issued from July. The announcements were made after a health department review meeting at Nabanna. The Chief Minister said the Central government is sending 7 lakh vaccine doses to the state, and the vaccination drive will begin from Bidhannagar Sub-Divisional Hospital. Girls aged 14 to 15 years and above will be eligible for the programme.

The Chief Minister said beneficiaries currently covered under the Swasthya Sathi scheme would directly receive benefits under Ayushman Bharat. He stated that nearly 60 million people were covered under the earlier state-run scheme and that additional beneficiaries would be included later. According to him, new enrolments under Ayushman Bharat will begin from July. He also announced that ₹976 crore has been allocated for the project.

Suvendu Adhikari further stated that an agreement related to the Ayushman Arogya Mandir project would be signed in Delhi during the first week of June in the presence of senior central government officials. He said the initiative aims to ensure that people from West Bengal residing in other states for work or education can also access healthcare services through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs operating under the scheme.

The Chief Minister also announced that the number of Jan Aushadhi centres in West Bengal would be increased from 117 to 469. He said the move was aimed at making medicines more affordable for the public. According to him, patients suffering from critical illnesses would receive medicines at discounts ranging from 50% to 80%. He also said the Centre had allocated ₹2,103 crore to West Bengal under the National Health Mission, of which ₹500 crore was released as a grant on Saturday.

Cervical cancer is among the most common cancers affecting women globally and in India. According to the data shared during the announcement, around 600,000 new cervical cancer cases are reported worldwide every year, with nearly 340,000 deaths annually. In India, around 14 women per one lakh population are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year, while the mortality rate stands at around 9 per lakh population. Health experts say timely vaccination can prevent nearly 75% to 80% of cervical cancer cases.

The disease is primarily caused by Human Papillomavirus Infection (HPV), which is generally transmitted through sexual contact. Medical experts say the risk may increase among individuals with multiple sexual partners, while obesity, smoking and alcohol consumption may also raise the risk of cervical cancer. Doctors have stated that symptoms including excessive vaginal discharge, bleeding after menstruation, bleeding after menopause and lower back pain should not be ignored, as the disease is often diagnosed at a later stage.