AAPI’s Cervical Cancer Vaccination Program Concludes In Hyderabad
India-West Staff Reporter
HYDERABAD – The HPV Vaccination Initiative to prevent HPV-related cancers including Cervical cancer started by the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), in collaboration with the Tanvir Foundation concluded successfully in Hyderabad with a virtual program. The July 17 virtual meeting was attended by the leadership of AAPI and local participation of Indian Medical Association-Telangana.
“It was heartening to be part of this noble initiative’s concluding ceremony virtually,’ Dr. Ravi Kolli, president of AAPI is quoted as saying in a press release from AAPI.
The first-of-its-kind program administered free HPV vaccines to the poor and underserved adolescent girls at the local Tanvir Hospital in Srinagar Colony, Hyderabad, with the aim of preventing HPV-related cancers, including cervical cancer, which is a leading cause of cancer deaths among women in India.
The program was launched January 9, during the 15th annual Global Healthcare Summit in Hyderabad at Tanvir Hospital under the leadership of Dr. Anupama Gotimukula, the immediate past president of AAPI.
The HPV vaccination program requires two doses of the vaccine to prevent cancer. The next phase of the free vaccination camp was conducted on July 17t, also at Tanvir Hospital. This event began with the lighting of the traditional lamp by Dr. Sampath Rao, president of IMA-Telangana, Dr. Raghunandan, president of IMA North, Dr. Surendranath, secretary of IMA Telangana, Dr. Meeta Singh, and Dr. Naunihal Singh of Tanvir Hospital who administered second dose of HPV vaccine to the 100 adolescent girls, completing the vaccination program.
AAPI Advisor Dr. Dwarakanatha Reddy said, “If vaccination programs are effectively implemented, approximately 90 percent of invasive cervical cancer cases worldwide could be prevented, in addition to the majority of precancerous lesions.”
Others who spoke at the event included Dr. V. Ranga, chair, Board of Trustees, Dr. Anjana Samaddar, president-elect of AAPI, Dr. Satheesh Kathula, vice president of AAPI, Dr. Meher Medavaram, an organizer of the program, and the secretary of AAPI, commented on the significance of this program and its impact on women.
