Next target is to get vaccine for cervical cancer: PM Modi to Bill Gates

After Covid jabs, India’s next target is to get a vaccine for cervical cancer, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates during a free-wheeling chat on Friday.

PM Modi lauded scientists for the Covid vaccines and said his next target is to get a vaccine for cervical cancer that has been an issue for women in India.

‘Want to safeguard lives of our daughters’

“In the future, I plan to allocate funds for cervical cancer research, targeting young girls. My goal is to vaccinate all girls in our country at a minimal cost, ensuring that they are protected from cancer. This is the direction I am currently working in,” PM Modi said.

“Once my government is voted to power again, my priority will be to invest significantly in this research to safeguard the lives of our daughters,” he said.

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The Prime Minister also said he would encourage scientists to conduct local research to make cervical cancer vaccines.

In the Interim Budget 2024, tabled by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, the Modi government said it will actively promote vaccination among girls aged 9-14 years to prevent cervical cancer.

#WATCH | While interacting with Bill Gates, PM Narendra Modi recalls the vaccination drive in India during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PM says, "Firstly, I emphasized that our fight against the virus involves everyone. This is not 'Virus vs Government' but the fight of 'Virus vs… pic.twitter.com/CLTNCPG2n3

— ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2024

Not ‘Virus vs Government’ but fight of ‘Virus vs Life’

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The PM said, India’s fight against the virus involves everyone. “This is not ‘Virus vs Government’ but the fight of ‘Virus vs Life’ - this was my first philosophy,” he said.

“I started having direct communication with the people of my country from the first day. I publically followed all protocols. I told them ’taali bajao’, ’thaali bajao’, ‘diya jalao’ - this was mocked in our country but I had to take people into confidence. Once the confidence was built, it became a mass movement…,” PM Modi said.

“The financial challenge was significant due to vaccine research costs. I built people’s confidence by taking the vaccine first of all. My 95-year-old mother also took the vaccine… I led by the example and gained people’s trust that this could save their lives,” he said.