Sudha Murthy delivered an impressive speech in the Upper House of the Parliament on Wednesday. She was nominated by the President to the Rajya Sabha on International Women's Day on March 8, 2024.
In her 13 minute address in the Parliament, the author and philanthropist spoke about women's health.
“Shed light on an issue that is close to my heart”
"In my first speech at the Rajya Sabha, I shed light on an issue that’s close to my heart. Coming from a family of doctors, I realized that women’s health is very important and often neglected. These learnings have taught me the significance of creating a secure healthcare system for women. Today, cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women in India. Making the cervical cancer vaccine accessible to women at an early age is the first step to accelerating this change," Sudha Murthy wrote on Instagram captioning her video.
Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women in IndiaCervical cancer ranks as the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in India. This disease is particularly prevalent due to factors such as lack of awareness, limited access to screening programs, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure in rural areas. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a primary risk factor, often exacerbated by socio-economic disparities and cultural barriers to preventive care.
Government backed vaccination programme against cervical cancer
Sudha Murthy advocated for a government-backed vaccination programme aimed at combating cervical cancer.
"There is a vaccination which is given to girls, between the age of nine and 14, known as a cervical vaccination. If the girls take that, it (cancer) can be avoided... we should promote vaccination for the benefit of our girls because prevention is better than cure," she said in her first speech in Rajya Sabha.
She suggested that since the government successfully managed a significant vaccination drive during COVID, providing cervical vaccination to girls aged 9-14 years should not be very challenging.
Sudha Murthy noted that the cervical vaccination, developed in the West, has been in use for the past 20 years.
"It worked very well. It is not expensive. Today, it is Rs 1,400 for people like me who are in the field. If the government intervenes and negotiates... you can bring it to Rs 700-800. We have such a large population. It will be beneficial for our girls in the future," she said.
Finance Minister had proposed cervical cancer vaccination in Budget 2024-2025
On February 1, 2024 while presenting the Union Budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed vaccination to prevent Cervical Cancer and amalgamation of various schemes for maternal and child care. The vaccination programme will be for girls in the age group of 9 to 14 years for prevention of cervical cancer. The Government will encourage this vaccination among the eligible categories, she added.
(With inputs from PTI)
In her 13 minute address in the Parliament, the author and philanthropist spoke about women's health.
“Shed light on an issue that is close to my heart”
"In my first speech at the Rajya Sabha, I shed light on an issue that’s close to my heart. Coming from a family of doctors, I realized that women’s health is very important and often neglected. These learnings have taught me the significance of creating a secure healthcare system for women. Today, cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women in India. Making the cervical cancer vaccine accessible to women at an early age is the first step to accelerating this change," Sudha Murthy wrote on Instagram captioning her video.
Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women in IndiaCervical cancer ranks as the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in India. This disease is particularly prevalent due to factors such as lack of awareness, limited access to screening programs, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure in rural areas. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a primary risk factor, often exacerbated by socio-economic disparities and cultural barriers to preventive care.
Government backed vaccination programme against cervical cancer
Sudha Murthy advocated for a government-backed vaccination programme aimed at combating cervical cancer.
"There is a vaccination which is given to girls, between the age of nine and 14, known as a cervical vaccination. If the girls take that, it (cancer) can be avoided... we should promote vaccination for the benefit of our girls because prevention is better than cure," she said in her first speech in Rajya Sabha.
She suggested that since the government successfully managed a significant vaccination drive during COVID, providing cervical vaccination to girls aged 9-14 years should not be very challenging.
Sudha Murthy noted that the cervical vaccination, developed in the West, has been in use for the past 20 years.
"It worked very well. It is not expensive. Today, it is Rs 1,400 for people like me who are in the field. If the government intervenes and negotiates... you can bring it to Rs 700-800. We have such a large population. It will be beneficial for our girls in the future," she said.
Finance Minister had proposed cervical cancer vaccination in Budget 2024-2025
On February 1, 2024 while presenting the Union Budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed vaccination to prevent Cervical Cancer and amalgamation of various schemes for maternal and child care. The vaccination programme will be for girls in the age group of 9 to 14 years for prevention of cervical cancer. The Government will encourage this vaccination among the eligible categories, she added.
(With inputs from PTI)
You may also like
Remove ivy for good easily with 'only method that 100 percent works'- it's not vinegar
Mary Berry's 'easy' coffee and walnut cake is 'delicious' and bakes in 25 minutes
LIV Golf & PGA merger latest: Rory McIlroy comments, Bryson DeChambeau message
Mechanic shares old yet reliable used sportscar that 'you can easily get parts for' today
