Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: In a focused move to prevent cervical cancer and bridge health equity gaps, 14 adolescent girls living with HIV in Goa were administered the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine during a special awareness and screening drive.
The initiative was jointly organized by the Human Touch Foundation and the National Coalition of People Living with HIV (NCPI+), with support from the Rotary Club of Dona Paula and the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Bicholim Branch.
The event began with an interactive session aimed at educating adolescents and caregivers on how HPV is transmitted, the heightened cancer risk for people living with HIV, and the importance of early vaccination. According to health experts, adolescents with HIV are significantly more vulnerable to persistent HPV infections, which can lead to cancers developing at a younger age and progressing more aggressively.
Leading the vaccination drive was *Dr. Shekhar Salkar*, President of IMA Bicholim, assisted by Dr. Elaine Rodrigues, the HPV Vaccination Drive Coordinator from Rotary Club of Dona Paula. Manipal Hospital provided on-site medical support, including an ambulance and emergency staff.
The event was coordinated by Celina Menezes, Advocacy Officer at NCPI+, along with Ucila Miranda, Programme Coordinator at Human Touch Foundation, and Usha Pawar. Rotary Club Secretary Felippe Alvares expressed gratitude for being part of the initiative, calling it “immensely satisfying.”
“If girls are vaccinated between the ages of 9 and 15, we can work toward a future free of cervical cancer,” said Dr. Salkar. Menezes added that vaccination provides a vital line of protection for adolescents living with HIV, offering them a healthier path forward.
The initiative aligns with the Human Touch Foundation’s mission to deliver inclusive, adolescent-centered healthcare, especially for vulnerable and marginalized communities. The organization continues to advocate for better access to sexual and reproductive health services across Goa.
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