Pasighat: Marking National Doctors’ Day 2026, the East Siang Doctors’ Association organised an awareness programme on Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination at Indira Gandhi Government Higher Secondary School (IGGHSS), Pasighat, on Wednesday to promote preventive healthcare and encourage protection against cervical cancer.
The programme sought to educate students, teachers, parents and the wider community about the importance of HPV vaccination in preventing cervical cancer and other diseases caused by the virus. Medical experts explained that persistent HPV infection is one of the leading causes of cervical cancer and emphasised that timely immunisation can significantly reduce the risk of developing the disease.
Addressing the gathering, East Siang District Medical Officer Dr. Yagling Perme underscored the importance of administering the vaccine at an early age, particularly to adolescent girls. He also addressed common misconceptions surrounding the vaccine and urged parents to make informed decisions regarding their children’s immunisation.
Healthcare professionals conducted interactive sessions detailing the safety, effectiveness and long-term benefits of the HPV vaccine. Students, especially girls aged 14 to 15 years, were encouraged to engage with doctors, ask questions and gain a better understanding of HPV infection, cervical cancer and preventive healthcare.
Speaking on the sidelines of the programme, doctors said the awareness drive forms part of a broader initiative to strengthen preventive healthcare by encouraging early intervention and improving public understanding of vaccine-preventable diseases.
Held in observance of National Doctors’ Day, the event highlighted the medical fraternity’s commitment to promoting community health through awareness, education and immunisation. Participants were urged to actively support vaccination campaigns and adopt preventive healthcare measures to reduce the burden of avoidable illnesses.
Interacting with the media after the programme, DMO Dr. Yagling Perme and District Reproductive and Child Health Officer (DRCHO) Dr. Nidak Angu reiterated that awareness and vaccination remain among the most effective strategies for preventing cervical cancer. They also informed that HPV vaccines are available at Bakin Pertin General Hospital in Pasighat as well as other healthcare facilities across the district.