India backs WHO’s 90-70-90 target to eliminate cervical cancer

Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda reaffirmed India’s commitment to eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem while addressing a virtual press briefing at the headquarters of the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Minister stated that cervical cancer continues to be a significant public health challenge globally and in India, prompting the government to adopt a multi-pronged strategy focused on early detection, screening, and timely treatment.

Expansion of Screening Services

Under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), population-based screening services have been expanded as part of comprehensive primary healthcare.

• Screening using Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) is now available at Ayushman Arogya Mandir centres and other health facilities across the country.
• The service targets women aged 30–65 years.

VIA is a low-cost cervical cancer screening technique in which 3–5% acetic acid (vinegar) is applied to the cervix to identify precancerous lesions.

According to the Minister, more than 86 million women have been screened for cervical cancer under the programme so far.

Nationwide HPV Vaccination Campaign

Jagat Prakash Nadda also announced the nationwide rollout of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign, launched by Narendra Modi on February 28.

Key features of the campaign include:

• Target group: 12 million girls aged 14 years
• Duration: 90-day campaign
• Vaccine used: Gardasil Quadrivalent
• Schedule: Single-dose regimen
• Cost: Free at designated government health facilities

The vaccination drive aligns with recommendations from the WHO and the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI).

WHO’s 90-70-90 Cervical Cancer Elimination Targets

The World Health Organization has set the 90-70-90 targets under its global Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative:

• 90% vaccination: Girls fully vaccinated against HPV by age 15
• 70% screening: Women screened with a high-performance test by age 35, and again by 45
• 90% treatment:
  • 90% of women with precancerous lesions treated
  • 90% of women with invasive cervical cancer properly managed

Countries are expected to achieve these targets by 2030 to place the world on a path toward eliminating cervical cancer within the next century.

Source: DD & WHO