Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar announced that the state government will provide free cancer vaccinations to girls aged 0-14 due to rising cancer cases linked to lifestyle changes. Abitkar expressed concern that cancer is now being detected in all age groups, including children. The initiative, supported by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, aims to combat this alarming trend. Additionally, following bird flu detections in crows in Vidarbha, the state is implementing preventive measures, including the temporary closure of chicken shops. Pawar also advised the public to avoid undercooked chicken amid a Guillain-Barre Syndrome outbreak in Pune.
Mumbai:
On Saturday, Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar announced that the state government will offer free cancer vaccines to girls aged 0-14, amid rising concerns regarding the increasing number of cancer cases throughout Maharashtra.
“Cancer cases are on the rise in both rural and urban communities due to lifestyle changes. In the past, cancer was often associated with certain addictions, but now it is being found in all age groups, even children, which is extremely alarming,” he stated.
In response to this issue, the Maharashtra government has initiated a free cancer vaccination program.
“We have asked our Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister, Ajit Pawar, to provide free cancer vaccinations for girls aged 0-14. He has agreed to move forward with this initiative through the Maharashtra government,” Abitkar added.
Additionally, the state has implemented preventive measures following the detection of bird flu in crows within Vidarbha. Abitkar emphasized that there are currently no confirmed cases of human infection.
“In light of the bird flu detection in crows in Vidarbha, we are taking necessary precautions. There is no concrete evidence of bird flu in the suspected patient, and we have submitted his report to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) for further investigation. As a precautionary step, we have temporarily closed chicken shops in the vicinity,” he mentioned.
Previously, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar advised the public to refrain from consuming undercooked chicken as a precaution due to the ongoing Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) outbreak in Pune. While at an event commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), Pawar addressed rumors connecting the outbreak to chicken consumption.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)