Lucknow: On the occasion of International Women’s Day, 120 women students of MBBS and BDS from King George’s Medical University (KGMU) were administered the first dose of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine free of cost to help prevent Cervical Cancer. The vaccination programme was organised at Jan Bhavan in Lucknow in the presence and guidance of Anandiben Patel, Governor of Uttar Pradesh.
During the event, the Governor extended greetings and best wishes to the students on International Women’s Day. She said that while the day is celebrated worldwide to honour women, respect and safety for women must be ensured every day, and society should stand with them whenever they face challenges or insecurity.
Addressing the gathering, Patel emphasised that institutions and professionals associated with the healthcare sector have a special responsibility towards society because their work is directly connected to patients and their lives. She said that public service, compassion toward patients, and proper care are fundamental values in the medical profession.
Encouraging the students, the Governor urged them to learn from the ideals and behaviour of their teachers and senior doctors and to incorporate human values and empathy in medical practice. She added that a doctor’s attitude toward patients plays a crucial role in recovery, noting that sensitive communication and empathy from doctors can significantly help patients heal faster.
Patel recalled that the HPV vaccination initiative began three years ago at Jan Bhavan, where daughters of Jan Bhavan staff were administered all three doses of the vaccine. Since then, the campaign has expanded across the state with the support of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
She also informed that Jan Bhavan recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Serum Institute of India, Pune, under which three lakh free HPV vaccine doses will be provided to girls in eight aspirational districts of Uttar Pradesh.
The Governor noted that the vaccination campaign is also being conducted for daughters of police personnel, with the initiative having started in Lucknow and now expanding to most districts of the state. She described HPV vaccination as a society-driven initiative, stressing that public awareness and participation are essential for its success.
Referring to the national effort to prevent cervical cancer, Patel said that Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, recently launched a nationwide HPV vaccination campaign for girls from Ajmer in Rajasthan. She described the programme as a major health initiative aimed at protecting women from a serious disease like cervical cancer.
She concluded by saying that serving society is a noble act, and when such service is performed with honesty and dedication, it benefits people while also bringing spiritual satisfaction.
Among those present at the event were Special Officer to the Governor Dr. Sudhir Mahadev Bobde, Vice-Chancellor of King George’s Medical University Dr. Sonia Nityanand, Professor Dr. Sujata Dev of Queen Mary Hospital, and In-charge of Jan Bhavan Hospital Dr. Narendra Dev, along with other officials and staff members.
