Kolkata Rotarians take up the battle to prevent cervical cancer in girls

One Rotarian in Kolkata losing his wife to cancer some 15 years ago has resulted in an impressive programme to vaccinate a few thousand girls against cervical cancer in West Bengal. In an initiative powered by the Rotary Club of Belur, West ­Bengal, RI District 3291. And supported by some other clubs in the Howrah region, Rotarians are reaching out to protect school girls from the scourge of cervical cancer.

Project chair and past president of the club Vishnu Dhandhania says after breast cancer, cervical cancer accounts for killing the largest number of women in India. The greater worry is that most girls and women are not even aware of the existence of cervical cancer, leave alone the dangers posed by it. “In fact, 10 years ago, even I didn’t know anything about cervical cancer,” he admits honestly.

The idea for this project to vaccinate schoolgirls was given to him about nine months ago by a fellow Rotarian from his club — ­Bhagwandas Agarwal, a successful industrialist from Kolkata. “Since he lost his wife to cancer, he has vowed to support any cause that combats cancer. He told me please plan such a project, funds will not be a problem for it.” The industrialist has committed to becoming an AKS member and towards this goal he has donated to TRF a sum of $80,000 as a directed gift. “The GG of $80,000 for the second phase of the project has been approved and this will enable the vaccination of 2,000 more girls.”

The club has already launched the first phase of the vaccination project, during which 1,200 girls in the age group 9–14 will be vaccinated. The funding has come through a GG ($45,000) done by RC Belur partnering with RC Singapore Heartlands, ­District 3310. The medical parent for this project is the Narayana Multispeciality Hospital in Howrah, initiated by eminent heart specialist Dr Devi Shetty.

Project director Agarwal explains that the girls covered by this project are being given two doses of the vaccine as prescribed, at an interval of six months. On the days of the camp a team of 6–7 medical personnel comes from the partnering hospital to administer the vaccine. “One clear condition of the GG coming from TRF is that no Rotarian should handle the vaccine at any stage and hence we ensure that the medical team does the entire operation for which they charge a very nominal sum to cover their travel and other incidentals.” The vaccine is acquired from the Serum Institute for this project at a special rate for Rotary of ₹1,275 a dose.

The club has already applied for a third GG, which is under process with the TRF and this will enable the vaccination of another 1,000 girls, Agarwal noted.

In the first week of January, RID 3211 PDG K Babumon attended District 3291 conference as the RIPR. “Luckily he could spare one day and it coincided with our first second-dose vaccination camp at the Chakpara Sarada Devi Girls’ High School.” RC Belur members invited him to attend the camp and he was very impressed with the work that was being done.

Cervical cancer in India is now overtaking breast cancer as the largest killer of women suffering from cancer and this is really worrying.

— Bhagwandas Agarwal, Project Director

“They have already vaccinated over 500 girls, and their ambitious goal to vaccinate 10,000 girls over the next two years demonstrates a steadfast commitment to combating cervical cancer in District 3291. I was deeply impressed to see the commitment of the Rotarians and the hard work they have put in to implement this project, which should serve as an inspiration to all Rotarians. This initiative is not only about vaccination but also about fostering hope, empowerment and community solidarity. With the excellent partnership forged between our Rotarians, educators, healthcare professionals and other supporting organisations, RC Belur is paving the way for a healthier future for young girls,” said the past governor.

Agarwal added that the vaccination camps are being done in the areas around Kolkata and other Rotary clubs such as RCs Hooghly, Calcutta ­Chowringhee, ­Chandannagar, ­Visionaries and Young Indians, are also participating in this initiative. “Cervical cancer in India is now overtaking breast cancer as the largest killer of women suffering from cancer and this is really worrying. I’m told that every day about 200 women in India are dying due to cervical cancer and we have to address this problem.” They have chosen to focus on girls in the 9–14 age group as the vaccine is most effective when given during those years.

He added that prior to the vaccination sessions, the club conducts awareness camps in schools. “Three days ago, I was in one such awareness camp, where 200 women, mostly mothers of the schoolgirls to be vaccinated, were attending it. I asked them in Bengali if they had heard of cervical cancer. To my surprise, not a single woman said she had heard of the cancer.” Once the motivational speech was given about the danger of death from cervical cancer and the importance of vaccination to prevent it, when asked how many would give permission to vaccinate their daughters “all the hands in the audience went up.”

Anand Agarwal, club president said that the members were very happy to witness this, and the club is fully committed to take this project forward. “Ours is a very progressive club and we are aware that at present, this is the only cancer which can be prevented through a vaccine. So we feel that we should take full advantage and protect our future generation from this cancer.”