To strengthen the fight against cervical cancer, India has announced a significant grant of USD 7.5 million aimed at enhancing testing, screening, and diagnosis in the Indo-Pacific region. This commitment was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Cancer Moonshot event, which was hosted by US President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the Quad Leaders’ Summit in Delaware.
Modi described the Quad Cancer Moonshot as a “groundbreaking partnership” that unites India, the US, Japan, and Australia in a collective effort to tackle the pressing issue of cervical cancer in the Indo-Pacific.
He underscored that this initiative will play a crucial role in making healthcare more affordable, accessible, and of high quality for people in these countries.
Highlighting India’s readiness to share its experience and expertise, Modi stated that the grant reflects India’s vision of “One Earth, One Health.” In addition to the financial contribution, he announced plans for India to provide support for radiotherapy treatment and capacity building focused on cancer prevention within the region.
Moreover, Modi noted that countries in the Indo-Pacific will benefit from the supply of 40 million vaccine doses from India through GAVI, an international organisation dedicated to improving vaccine access for children in the world’s poorest regions.
He emphasised, “When the Quad acts, it is not just for nations, it is for the people,” encapsulating the human-centric approach that guides this collaboration.
Additionally, the Prime Minister mentioned that India has developed a cervical cancer vaccine and is actively working on an AI-based treatment protocol to enhance patient care.
To further support these efforts, India has extended technical assistance to interested Indo-Pacific nations through its USD 10 million contribution to the Global Initiative on Digital Health, illustrating a comprehensive and collaborative strategy to combat cervical cancer effectively.
Cervical cancer poses a significant health challenge in India, being the second most common cancer among women and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in this population. Each year, approximately 123,907 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, resulting in around 77,348 fatalities.
One of the critical issues contributing to this high mortality rate is the low screening rates for cervical cancer across the country. Cultural stigma surrounding the disease, along with limited access to healthcare resources, significantly hampers efforts to detect and treat cervical cancer early.
These barriers highlight the urgent need for increased awareness, education, and improved healthcare infrastructure to enhance screening and prevention efforts in India. Addressing these challenges is essential to reduce the burden of cervical cancer and save lives, say health experts.
