Mumbai: A vaccine to fight cancers affecting women will be available within five to six months, Union Minister of State for Health, Family Welfare and Ayush (Independent Charge) Prataprao Jadhav announced on Tuesday.
“The research on a vaccine for cancers that affect women is nearly complete, and trials are underway. It will be available in five to six months, and girls in the age group of nine to 16 years will be eligible for inoculation,” he said while addressing a presser.
The vaccine will tackle breast, oral and cervical cancers.
Sharing measures for early detection of the diseases, Jadhav mentioned about screening facility for women above 30 at hospitals, and setting up of daycare cancer centres.
He said the government has also waived off customs duty for medicines used in cancer treatment for make them affordable.
The Union Minister also highlighted the government’s efforts to integrate traditional medicine into healthcare. Already 12,500 Ayush departments operating in hospitals across the country, and more are being built, he added.
