Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, PMO, Atomic Energy, and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, convened a high-level joint meeting to assess India’s progress in cervical cancer screening. The meeting brought together key stakeholders from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), AIIMS New Delhi, BIRAC, ICMR, and industry partners to evaluate indigenously developed HPV test kits.
Major Milestone in Preventive Healthcare
Dr. Singh hailed the development of the indigenous HPV RT-PCR-based diagnostic kits as a significant achievement by DBT under the Ministry of Science & Technology. He emphasized that these test kits mark a critical step forward in making cervical cancer screening affordable, accessible, and scalable across India.
India’s Vision for Global Leadership in Preventive Healthcare
Highlighting the broader context, Dr. Singh stated that India is striving to position itself as a global leader in preventive healthcare. He credited DBT and BIRAC for landmark innovations, including India’s first-ever DNA vaccine. This innovation, according to him, not only elevated India’s global scientific standing but also showcased the country’s capacity to lead in both preventive and curative health technologies.
Recognizing Other Key Healthcare Breakthroughs
Dr. Singh also spotlighted other pioneering efforts, such as:
- Nafithromycin – India’s first indigenous antibiotic, which has received positive clinical feedback.
- Gene Therapy Trial for Hemophilia – A breakthrough published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine, bringing global attention to India’s advanced medical research.
He attributed these successes to a collaborative model he described as “PPP plus PPP.” This refers to Public-Private Partnerships both within India and internationally.
Four Strategic Pillars to Drive Health Innovation
The Minister outlined four key focus areas for the government’s health strategy:
- Preventive Healthcare – Recognizing that prevention is the future of medicine.
- Youth-Centric Interventions – Targeting cervical cancer prevention among adolescents and young women.
- Women’s Health – Strengthening inter-ministerial collaboration, especially with the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
- Private Sector Engagement – Fostering a dynamic ecosystem where public and private entities co-create solutions.
Emphasizing the Need for Affordable Mass Screening
As reported by pib.gov.in, Dr. Singh highlighted some alarming statistics. India ranks fourth globally in cervical cancer-related morbidity and accounts for 25% of global cervical cancer deaths. He underscored the urgent need for affordable mass screening. Traditional methods like VIA/VILI, Pap smears, and HPV DNA testing, he noted, are costly and demand extensive resources.
The new indigenous HPV test kits have been validated by top R&D labs under the GCI-BIRAC-DBT initiative. They offer a rapid and cost-effective alternative, potentially transforming the landscape of women’s healthcare in India.
Linking Health with the Vision of Viksit Bharat 2047
Dr. Singh emphasized the need to tackle India’s rising burden of non-communicable diseases. He linked this to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision and highlighted the growing impact of these conditions, particularly among the youth. He shared his own past initiative of providing free insulin therapy in 1996 for Type 1 diabetes. This, he said, illustrated the power of public-private collaboration in delivering healthcare solutions.
Promoting Holistic Health Beyond Vaccines
While acknowledging the post-COVID surge in vaccine discussions, Dr. Singh urged for a more holistic approach to prevention. He emphasized the role of social, cultural, and hygienic practices as foundational elements of public health education.
Call for Unified Action in Science and Society
Dr. Singh concluded the session by calling for sustained collaboration across sectors to ensure scientific breakthroughs directly benefit the common citizen. “Healthcare should not just be accessible—it must be affordable and proactive,” he asserted.