Dharwad: The Rotary Club of Dharwad Central has launched a large-scale cervical cancer vaccination project targeting 2,500 girls aged between 9 and 14 across rural areas of Dharwad district.The project is being done through a global grant of The Rotary Foundation in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Central Chester County from USA, said rotarians Dr Kavan and Dr Pallavi Deshpande. Kavan said this initiative marks a significant milestone as it is the first-of-its-kind in the state of Karnataka where such a large number of girls will receive the HPV vaccine in a structured and phased manner. This project is being implemented in collaboration with the Family Planning Association of India (FPAI) as the implementing partner, and Tata Motors Body Solutions as an associated partner, whose support has been instrumental in taking this project to a larger scale. The project will be executed in three key phases — conducting awareness campaigns for students, parents, teachers, and community leaders about cervical cancer, its risks, and the importance of vaccination; engaging healthcare professionals, school authorities, and local stakeholders to ensure preparedness and acceptance of the programme and the third phase includes administering the HPV vaccine under strict medical protocols and cold chain management, ensuring safety, efficacy, and regulatory compliance.Rotary Club of Dharwad Central is committed to community health and empowering young girls through preventive healthcare, Kavan added.
