News & Announcement
Namchi Joins Nationwide Launch of HPV Vaccination Programme
Namchi, February 28 (IPR): The State-wide Launch of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Programme was successfully conducted across Sikkim today, marking a significant milestone in the State’s public health initiatives aimed at preventing cervical cancer among adolescent girls.
The programme was formally launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, from Ajmer, Rajasthan, and by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Sikkim, Prem Singh Tamang, from Gangtok (Samman Bhawan). Live streaming arrangements were made across all districts to enable officials and beneficiaries to witness the historic launch event.
Prior to the launch, a Video Conference (VC) on preparedness was convened on February 27 under the chairmanship of the Secretary (Health), Mr Tshewang Gyaccho Bhutia, from Gangtok. The meeting was held in compliance with the directives of the Head of Department to review and assess district-level preparedness for the formal rollout of the programme.
During the preparedness review, all districts were directed to prepare comprehensive district-wise lists of eligible 14-year-old girl children to be covered under the programme. Each district was instructed to identify at least 10–15 beneficiaries who would receive the HPV vaccine on the day of the formal launch. Emphasis was laid on ensuring adequate logistics, manpower, and the presence of Medical Specialists, Paediatricians, Gynaecologists, and other required healthcare professionals during the vaccination sessions.
Strict instructions were issued to ensure that AEFI (Adverse Events Following Immunisation) kits were kept ready at every vaccination centre, along with prompt response mechanisms to effectively manage any medical exigencies. Districts were directed to obtain written consent from parents or guardians prior to vaccine administration and to coordinate closely with the Education Department for beneficiary identification and mobilization. Coordination with the Information and Public Relations (IPR) Department was also emphasised to ensure adequate awareness generation, display of banners, and comprehensive media coverage of the programme. Districts yet to receive vaccine stocks were instructed to collect the required doses following the State Task Force for Immunisation (STFI) meeting to avoid any last-minute constraints.
Accordingly, all vaccination centres across the State were fully equipped with AEFI kits, and necessary safety protocols were strictly adhered to during the sessions. The District Administration, in coordination with the Health, Education, and IPR Departments, ensured proper arrangements at the venues, including awareness materials and provision of refreshments for the children during the launch event, thereby facilitating the smooth and successful conduct of the programme.
Following the formal launch, vaccination sessions were conducted simultaneously across all districts. At least 10–15 identified beneficiaries in each district received the HPV vaccine in the presence of district officials and medical teams.
In Namchi, the vaccination was conducted at the District Hospital Namchi, where a dedicated vaccination team along with the required logistics were deployed. The presence of Medical Specialists, Paediatricians, and other healthcare professionals was ensured to oversee the process.
At the onset of the programme in Namchi, the welcome address was delivered by CNO Ms Bijay Laxmi Rai, who extended greetings to the dignitaries, officials, healthcare personnel, and beneficiaries, and underscored the importance of the HPV Vaccination Programme in strengthening preventive healthcare services for adolescent girls.
This was followed by a comprehensive overview of the HPV Vaccination Programme by DRCHO Dr B K Chauhan, who elaborated on the objectives, target beneficiaries, safety profile, and long-term health benefits of the vaccine in preventing cervical cancer.
Subsequently, the formal inauguration of the district-level launch was carried out by CEO Mr G P Sharma in the presence of CMO Dr Junita Yonzon, along with DIO IPR, Medical Specialists and other healthcare professionals, emphasising the significance of inter-departmental coordination and community participation in ensuring the successful implementation of the programme and encouraged parents and guardians to extend full cooperation to the vaccination drive. A total of 10 identified beneficiaries received the HPV vaccine today at the District Hospital in Namchi.
The campaign will also be carried out over a period of three months, during which eligible girls will be administered the vaccine at designated health facilities. Thereafter, the vaccination will continue on routine immunisation days to ensure comprehensive coverage of all eligible beneficiaries across the district.
At the conclusion of the launch event, E-Vaccination Certificates were distributed to the beneficiaries, marking their participation in this significant public health initiative.
The launch programme witnessed the presence of CMO Dr Junita Yonzon, DRCHO Dr B K Chauhan, CEO Mr G P Sharma and DIO (IPR)Ms Deepti Pradhan, Medical Specialists and Healthcare professionals ensuring coordinated and effective implementation of the HPV Vaccination Programme in Namchi district.
The programme was formally launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, from Ajmer, Rajasthan, and by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Sikkim, Prem Singh Tamang, from Gangtok (Samman Bhawan). Live streaming arrangements were made across all districts to enable officials and beneficiaries to witness the historic launch event.
Prior to the launch, a Video Conference (VC) on preparedness was convened on February 27 under the chairmanship of the Secretary (Health), Mr Tshewang Gyaccho Bhutia, from Gangtok. The meeting was held in compliance with the directives of the Head of Department to review and assess district-level preparedness for the formal rollout of the programme.
During the preparedness review, all districts were directed to prepare comprehensive district-wise lists of eligible 14-year-old girl children to be covered under the programme. Each district was instructed to identify at least 10–15 beneficiaries who would receive the HPV vaccine on the day of the formal launch. Emphasis was laid on ensuring adequate logistics, manpower, and the presence of Medical Specialists, Paediatricians, Gynaecologists, and other required healthcare professionals during the vaccination sessions.
Strict instructions were issued to ensure that AEFI (Adverse Events Following Immunisation) kits were kept ready at every vaccination centre, along with prompt response mechanisms to effectively manage any medical exigencies. Districts were directed to obtain written consent from parents or guardians prior to vaccine administration and to coordinate closely with the Education Department for beneficiary identification and mobilization. Coordination with the Information and Public Relations (IPR) Department was also emphasised to ensure adequate awareness generation, display of banners, and comprehensive media coverage of the programme. Districts yet to receive vaccine stocks were instructed to collect the required doses following the State Task Force for Immunisation (STFI) meeting to avoid any last-minute constraints.
Accordingly, all vaccination centres across the State were fully equipped with AEFI kits, and necessary safety protocols were strictly adhered to during the sessions. The District Administration, in coordination with the Health, Education, and IPR Departments, ensured proper arrangements at the venues, including awareness materials and provision of refreshments for the children during the launch event, thereby facilitating the smooth and successful conduct of the programme.
Following the formal launch, vaccination sessions were conducted simultaneously across all districts. At least 10–15 identified beneficiaries in each district received the HPV vaccine in the presence of district officials and medical teams.
In Namchi, the vaccination was conducted at the District Hospital Namchi, where a dedicated vaccination team along with the required logistics were deployed. The presence of Medical Specialists, Paediatricians, and other healthcare professionals was ensured to oversee the process.
At the onset of the programme in Namchi, the welcome address was delivered by CNO Ms Bijay Laxmi Rai, who extended greetings to the dignitaries, officials, healthcare personnel, and beneficiaries, and underscored the importance of the HPV Vaccination Programme in strengthening preventive healthcare services for adolescent girls.
This was followed by a comprehensive overview of the HPV Vaccination Programme by DRCHO Dr B K Chauhan, who elaborated on the objectives, target beneficiaries, safety profile, and long-term health benefits of the vaccine in preventing cervical cancer.
Subsequently, the formal inauguration of the district-level launch was carried out by CEO Mr G P Sharma in the presence of CMO Dr Junita Yonzon, along with DIO IPR, Medical Specialists and other healthcare professionals, emphasising the significance of inter-departmental coordination and community participation in ensuring the successful implementation of the programme and encouraged parents and guardians to extend full cooperation to the vaccination drive. A total of 10 identified beneficiaries received the HPV vaccine today at the District Hospital in Namchi.
The campaign will also be carried out over a period of three months, during which eligible girls will be administered the vaccine at designated health facilities. Thereafter, the vaccination will continue on routine immunisation days to ensure comprehensive coverage of all eligible beneficiaries across the district.
At the conclusion of the launch event, E-Vaccination Certificates were distributed to the beneficiaries, marking their participation in this significant public health initiative.
The launch programme witnessed the presence of CMO Dr Junita Yonzon, DRCHO Dr B K Chauhan, CEO Mr G P Sharma and DIO (IPR)Ms Deepti Pradhan, Medical Specialists and Healthcare professionals ensuring coordinated and effective implementation of the HPV Vaccination Programme in Namchi district.
