Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murty Bats For Cervical Cancer Vaccine In Her 1st Speech In Parliament

Author, philanthropist, and now Rajya Sabha MP - Sudha Murty gave a resounding inaugural address in the upper house of parliament, passionately underscoring the pressing need for addressing cervical cancer Indians.

Cervical cancer stands as a threat to India. As per ICMR’s National Cancer Registry Programme, 340,000 cases of cervical cancer were reported in 2023. It is the second most common cancer among women aged between 15 and 44, with a mortality rate of 9.1%.

Murty, renowned for her profound engagement through the Infosys Foundation and other altruistic endeavours, has long championed initiatives in healthcare and education, striving to foster awareness.

Her Rajya Sabha seat has now afforded her a platform to suggest comprehensive, national wide amplification of issues that matter to India. And Murty's advocacy extends beyond mere rhetoric; it is a resounding call to action for a comprehensive national strategy to combat this largely preventable disease.

Central to her address was a compelling plea to enhance public health initiatives, including robust HPV vaccination programs and systematic screening protocols. These measures, some believe, are indispensable for early detection and proactive prevention of cervical cancer.

Highlighting the vaccine's current market price as high as 8,000 rupees, Murty appealed for the government’s intervention to bring down costs to a more accessible 700-800 rupees range would significantly enhance affordability and uptake among young girls aged 9 to 14, potentially saving countless lives.

Murty also brought in an emotional stance to her speech, touching upon the irreparable loss experienced by families following the tragic death of a woman.

Her plea towards cervical cancer awareness resonates as a clarion call for societal mobilisation towards safeguarding women's health. In championing these causes, Sudha Murty has once again exemplified a steadfast commitment towards leveraging her influence for societal good, ensuring that no woman in India suffers from preventable diseases like cervical cancer.

Will the government take up the cause and will private sector bring in the required investments to make prevention of cervical cancer a priority is something that only time will tell.
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