Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has announced that the state government is actively considering providing cancer vaccines to girls and women. Speaking at the state-level Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram, Pawar highlighted the rising number of cancer cases and assured that discussions within the Mahayuti government are progressing positively.

"Cancer cases are also rising… There is a vaccine for it… The Mahayuti Government is considering how we can provide cancer vaccines to girls and women in the state. Our discussion is going on very positively. CM Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, Health Minister Prakash Abitkar, Minister Hassan Mushrif, cabinet colleagues, and I are paying special attention to it. Soon, a decision will be taken," Pawar stated.

The initiative, if implemented, could be a game-changer in Maharashtra’s healthcare sector, particularly in preventing cervical cancer among women. The move aligns with global efforts to expand access to HPV vaccines, which have been proven effective in reducing cancer risks.