Leh: Focusing on the prevention and management of cervical and stomach cancers and highlighting key strategies for eradicating these diseases within our community, Chairman, CEC Adv. Tashi Gyalson, DC/CEO Santosh Sukhadeve, Health Director Dr. Tashi Thinles; Medical Superintendent Tsewang Chorol; CPO Tsewang Gyalson, and Chief Controller of Finance Dr. Zulfikar Ali, addressed critical health issues affecting the region.
Cervical cancer, primarily caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), presents a serious health risk, particularly for young women. The meeting highlight the critical importance of vaccination in preventing this disease.
CEC Tashi Gyalson will advocate for providing free Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines to the UT administration for individuals aged 9 to 19. This initiative aims to safeguard future generations from this preventable illness and promote overall community health.
The HPV vaccine is a series of shots that can help prevent infections that can lead to cervical, vaginal, vulvar, penile, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers, as well as genital warts.
In addition, the meeting addressed the role of Helicobacter pylori in stomach cancer. Experts highlighted the necessity of early diagnosis through extensive screening, which can significantly reduce the risk of developing stomach cancer.
Further discussions included the implementation of the hepatitis B vaccination program, with plans to ensure that healthcare workers are prioritized and in the the second phase, efforts will also focus on reaching out to villagers who missed earlier vaccinations, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
The Director of Health was also informed to launch an extensive health awareness campaign across various platforms, aiming to disseminate crucial information about these vaccinations and preventive measures to the community.
More than 98% of people develop an antibody response to the HPV types included in the vaccine within one month of completing the series.
Three doses of HPV vaccine are recommended for teens and young adults who start the series at ages 15 through 26 years, and for immune compromised persons.
HPV vaccine is not recommended for use during pregnancy. People known to be pregnant should delay initiation of the vaccination series until after the pregnancy.
