Parliament Question: Healthcare of women

GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTHAND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE RAJYASABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 3634 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24thMARCH, 2026 HEALTHCARE OFWOMEN 3634.DR. DHARMASTHALAVEERENDRAHEGGADE: Will the MINISTER OFHEALTHAND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleased tostate: (a) the steps taken for advancing the vision of “Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar”- ensuring prevention, protection and equity at the core of women’s healthcare to help build healthy families; (b) whether Government has launched the nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Programme for girls aged fourteen years recently and if so, the number of girlslikelytoget the vaccine; (c) the categoryof girlsexcluded from Vaccination;and (d) whether the vaccine is 93-100 per cent effective in preventing cervical cancer caused by the HPVtypesit covers? ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT.ANUPRIYAPATEL) (a)The “SwasthNari, SashaktParivar Abhiyaan(SNSPA)” campaign was conductedwith the aim to strengthen healthcare services for women and children across India, with a focus on improvingaccess, qualitycare, andawareness through Jan Bhagidaari. Under the National Health Mission (NHM), the Government of India has implemented several measures as a continuous, institutionalized framework to sustain the community participation and behaviour change achieved during the campaign thereby advancing the vision of “Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar”. The Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs) have enabled States/UTs to extend a broader package of services closer to the community, including regular screening at AAM and outreach camps at the community level. Beyond the management of illnesses, promotive and preventive health is an integral part of comprehensive primary health care that includes physical activities like marathons, Yoga, meditation etc. Moreover, 42 Health calendar days annually and ten wellness sessions monthly are celebrated at Ayushman Arogya Mandir where various activities such as healthtalks, counselling for healthy diet and lifestyle, counselling & cessation activities on substance abuse, etc.are conducted toensure wellbeingof the community. This comprehensive approach emphasizes prevention, ensures protection through quality healthcare services, and advances equity by prioritizing the most vulnerable populations, thereby ensuring the vision of healthier women, empowered families, and stronger communities. (b) The Nationwide free HPV vaccination campaign was launched on 28th February 2026, targeting approximately 1.2 crore eligible beneficiary girls aged 14 years across all 36 States andUnion Territories. (c)The following are the categories of girlsexcludedfrom HPVvaccination:  Girls with moderate or severe illness should not be administered HPV vaccine until theyhave recovered.  Girls who have had an allergic reaction to a previous vaccination or are known to be allergic toyeast toavoidgettingvaccinated.  Pregnancy.  Girls outside the target age group.  Girls previously vaccinated: For those who have already received any HPV vaccine (Gardasil/Gardasil-9/Cervarix/Cervavac - one or more doses), their vaccination status tobe updatedinthe U-WIN portal. (d) The details of efficacy of approved HPV vaccines are published in Summary of Product Characteristics(SmPC) which are publiclyavailableonCDSCO website. *****