Telangana to Screen 46 Lakh SHG Women, Provide Free HPV Vaccines to Adolescent Girls

In a major initiative to strengthen preventive healthcare and promote women’s wellbeing , the Telangana government has launched a statewide health profiling programme for women associated with Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and announced free HPV vaccination for adolescent girls to prevent cervical cancer .

The programme was inaugurated by Health Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha along with Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Minister Seethakka during an event held at Adivasi Bhavan in Banjara Hills on the occasion of International Women’s Day . The initiative aims to improve early disease detection , expand access to health screening , and strengthen digital health monitoring systems for women across the state.

Speaking at the event, Damodar Rajanarasimha said empowering women plays a crucial role in strengthening families and communities. He noted that when women receive opportunities and institutional support, they contribute significantly to the social and economic development of society.

As part of the initiative, the government will conduct comprehensive health screenings for nearly 46 lakh women belonging to about 4.37 lakh SHGs across 32 districts . The programme will include around 30 medical tests , covering common health issues such as blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid disorders and other non-communicable diseases .

Each participant will receive a QR-code-based digital health record , which will be stored in the Electronic Health Management Information System (e-HMIS) portal. Officials said the digital records will enable doctors to track medical histories and provide timely diagnosis and better treatment planning in the future.

To address the increasing incidence of cervical cancer among women, the state has also launched a free HPV vaccination programme . Under this initiative, around four lakh girls aged 14 years will receive the Gardasil-4 vaccine free of cost at government hospitals , although the vaccine can cost up to ₹4,000 in private healthcare facilities .

During the event, the ministers also inaugurated health awareness and diagnostic stalls , including HPV vaccination information counters and nutrition kiosks , and interacted with women and adolescent girls to understand their health concerns.

The ministers also unveiled a Working Women’s Hostel online booking portal , designed to help women working away from their hometowns access safe and secure accommodation through a digital platform.

Highlighting the government’s focus on women empowerment , the minister said initiatives such as Indiramma Mahila Shakti , free bus travel for women in RTC buses , 200 units of free electricity under the Gruha Jyothi scheme , and the Indiramma housing programme are aimed at improving the economic independence and social status of women across Telangana.