The Tamil Nadu government has allocated ₹21,906 crore to the Health and Family Welfare Department in the 2025-26 state budget, marking an 8.4% increase from the previous year. A major highlight of the budget is the ₹36 crore allocation for providing free Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines to 14-year-old girls, aiming to prevent cervical cancer.
Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, while presenting the budget, emphasized the state’s commitment to cancer prevention and early detection, particularly among women. Reports indicate that Tamil Nadu has one of the highest cancer incidences in India, with cervical cancer ranking second among women’s cancers at 15.3% of all cases.
To further strengthen cancer care, the government has announced:
- ₹120 crore over the next two years to upgrade Arignar Anna Memorial Cancer Hospital into an 800-bed state-level nodal cancer centre for advanced cancer diagnosis and treatment.
- ₹110 crore over three years to improve medical equipment and manpower in secondary and medical college hospitals, ensuring early cancer detection.
- ₹40 crore for mobile medical teams, working with NGOs to screen for major cancers and provide lifestyle counseling.
The HPV vaccination program aligns with Tamil Nadu’s broader health initiatives, including:The HPV vaccination program aligns with Tamil Nadu’s broader health initiatives, including:
- ₹2,754 crore for the National Health Mission to enhance healthcare accessibility.
- ₹1,092 crore for the Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme, supporting maternal health.
- ₹1,461 crore for the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme, providing financial protection against high medical expenses.
- ₹348 crore to strengthen ambulance services for emergency care.
The government’s proactive approach to HPV vaccination and cervical cancer prevention is part of a larger effort to reduce cancer mortality, enhance public health infrastructure, and improve women’s healthcare in Tamil Nadu.