Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has announced that the Government of Sikkim will provide free cervical cancer vaccinations to all girls below the age of 14, starting April 2026.
Speaking at the platinum jubilee celebration of Buriakhop School in Soreng district, the Chief Minister said the initiative aims to protect young girls from one of the most preventable yet deadly diseases affecting women worldwide.
He further announced that women aged 30 to 65 years will also receive free cervical cancer test kits from the same month to enable early detection and timely treatment.
“When the world already has preventive measures for such diseases, we must move ahead with these programmes for the benefit of those who can be saved from this dreaded ailment,” said the Chief Minister.
Explaining the focus on younger girls, he added, “Children below 14 have been chosen because the vaccine is most effective in this age group. By 2026, we will make these vaccinations available in all state hospitals. This is a much-needed step, and we want everyone to participate in this mission.”
With this announcement, Sikkim becomes one of the first Northeastern states to roll out a state-wide HPV vaccination programme, underscoring its continued commitment to women’s health and preventive care.
