Mumbai: In a major public health initiative, the Maharashtra government has announced a free cancer vaccination program for girls aged 0-14, aiming to combat the rising number of cancer cases across the state.
Health Minister Prakash Abitkar made the announcement on Saturday, emphasizing the increasing prevalence of cancer among all age groups, including children.
Rising Cancer Cases a Growing Concern
“With changes in lifestyle, cancer cases are rising in both rural and urban areas. Previously, cancer was often linked to specific addictions, but now it is being detected across all age groups, including children. This is highly concerning,” Abitkar stated.
In response, the Maharashtra government has decided to provide free cancer vaccinations to young girls to reduce the risk of the disease.
“We have requested Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar to implement this initiative, and he has agreed to fund the program through the state government,” Abitkar added.
Bird Flu Detected in Vidarbha: Precautionary Measures Taken
Alongside the cancer vaccination drive, the Maharashtra government has also taken preventive steps following the detection of bird flu in crows in the Vidarbha region.
Health Minister Abitkar reassured the public, stating that no human infections have been confirmed so far.
“We are closely monitoring the situation in Vidarbha after cases of avian influenza (bird flu) were detected in crows. While there is a suspected case in a human, there is no clear evidence yet. The sample has been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) for analysis,” he said.
As a precautionary measure, authorities have temporarily shut down chicken shops in the affected areas.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) Outbreak in Pune
The health concerns in Maharashtra extend beyond bird flu, as officials are also tackling the ongoing Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) outbreak in Pune.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar urged citizens to avoid undercooked chicken, addressing speculation linking GBS cases to poultry consumption. Speaking at the 75th anniversary event of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), Pawar emphasized public awareness and preventive measures to control the spread of the disease.
With proactive health measures, Maharashtra is stepping up its efforts to protect public health while addressing critical concerns like cancer prevention, avian flu, and GBS outbreaks.