NationalMonday, 13 July 2026·The Hindu - National
West Bengal seeks HPV vaccination support for sex workers in Sonagachi, Kolkata
On July 12, 2026, West Bengal Health Minister Sharadwat Mukherjee sought DMSC support to provide HPV vaccination to sex workers in Sonagachi.
Key highlights
Direct fact
On July 12, 2026, West Bengal Health Minister Sharadwat Mukherjee asked the Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee (DMSC) to help organise cervical cancer vaccination for sex workers in Kolkata’s Sonagachi area.
Key specifics
- The request was made on July 12, 2026, at DMSC’s 31st birth anniversary event.
- The vaccination focus is cervical cancer prevention through Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines.
- The Central government has announced free HPV vaccination for all 14-year-old girls in this year’s budget.
- The minister said the state government will also provide the vaccine to other women.
- Free condom vending machines were also proposed for Sonagachi.
Exam lens
Health and social welfare question type: HPV vaccine, 14-year-old girls, DMSC, Sonagachi, Kolkata, July 12, 2026. TNPSC may ask which group was sought to be covered first and what preventive measure was proposed alongside vaccination.