Gadchiroli Aug. 11 (District Correspondent) Lloyds Kali Ammal Memorial (LKAM) Hospital initiated its HPV vaccination services with a special drive aimed at protecting the community against HPV-related cancers recently.
The drive was inaugurated by Kirthy Krishna, Director of the Lloyds Infinite Foundation (LIF), and Ms. Sunita Mehta, Project Director. They were joined by Dr. Gopal Roy, Senior Medical Superintendent; Dr. Aakansh Reddy, Paediatrician; and Ms. Kavita Durgam, Senior Nursing Officer.
The vaccination drive provided its first doses to school children in the age-group of 9 to 11 years and female staff from Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited (LMEL). Mr. Kirthy Krishna and Dr. Gopal Roy addressed the attendees, elaborating on the critical importance of vaccination and its long-term benefits in safeguarding community health. They emphasized that this initiative was a vital step in preventing cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases.
The Lloyds Raj Vidya NIketan (LRVN) team extended its sincere gratitude to LMEL Managing Director Mr. B. Prabhakaran and Kirthy Krishna for this initiative. The initiative serves as a scientific and lasting ‘thread of protection’ safeguarding the girls against potential health risks and empowering them to step into the future with confidence.
The HPV vaccine is recommended for females to provide protection against strains of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) that causes cervical cancer and genital warts. For females aged 9-14 years two-dose schedule is recommended. The second dose should be given 6 months after the first dose. For females aged 15-26 years, three-dose schedule is recommended. The second dose is given 2 months after the first, and the third dose is given 6 months after the first dose, it was informed.
The LKAM Hospital’s new service aims to make this crucial preventive measure accessible to a wider population, reinforcing its commitment to public health and wellness in the region. The doses will be given to all females free of cost.
