Gangtok, 12th November 2025:
The Government of Sikkim has announced a major public health initiative to provide free cervical cancervaccines to all girls below the age of 14, starting April 2026. The announcement was made by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang during the platinum jubilee celebration of Buriakhop School in Soreng district.
According to the Chief Minister, the vaccination drive aims to protect young girls from cervical cancer—one of the most preventable yet life-threatening diseases affecting women worldwide. The initiative is part of the state’s broader plan to strengthen preventive healthcare and promote early disease protection.
From the same month, women aged between 30 and 65 years will also receive free cervical cancer test kits to support early detection and treatment. Emphasizing the importance of prevention, Tamang stated that when effective preventive measures are available, the state must take responsibility to implement them for public welfare.
He further explained that the focus on younger girls is due to the vaccine’s high effectiveness before age 14. By 2026, the vaccines will be available across all state hospitals. With this step, Sikkim becomes one of the first Northeastern states to implement a comprehensive HPV vaccination programme, reinforcing its commitment to women’s health and preventive care.
