Kohima: Nagaland officials launched Teeka Talk on Thursday in Kohima. The project aims to improve public awareness about HPV vaccinations and cervical cancer prevention. It debuted at the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare conference hall. Over 60 stakeholders attended from the Health, Education, and Women and Child Development departments.
Principal Director Dr. Keveduyi Theyo chaired the meeting. He pushed for stronger cooperation between state agencies to reach adolescent girls and their families. They want to ensure residents have the facts needed to make health decisions. The initiative relies on a partnership with the non-profit Girl Effect India. It uses digital tools to bring youth-friendly information to every corner of the state.
Cervical cancer kills thousands of women in India annually. Data from the 2024 NCRP-ICMR report shows 78,499 diagnoses and 42,392 deaths. State Immunization Officer Dr. Imkongtemsu Longchar urged parents to get eligible girls vaccinated at the recommended age. The state currently provides free HPV shots to 14-year-old girls at government health centers.
Kavita Ayyagari, Director of Girl Effect India, noted that families often have questions about new vaccines. She said, "Teeka Talk aims to make trusted information on HPV vaccination easier to access and understand through schools, communities, parent engagement and digital platforms." The program utilizes a WhatsApp chatbot to answer common questions for parents and adolescents.
Discussions during the launch drew on insights from Kohima and Dimapur districts. Officials are now moving toward a second phase focused on district-wide coordination. They plan to expand outreach through schools and frontline workers to build confidence in the immunization program.
Comments