New Delhi/ Bilaspur: As India gears up for a nationwide HPV vaccination drive against cervical cancer, South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) stands out as the trailblazer—the first public sector undertaking (PSU) to launch such an initiative back in July 2025. With nearly 1.25 lakh women diagnosed with cervical cancer annually in India and over 70,000 fatalities, the preventable disease via HPV shots and screenings demands urgent action. SECL's forward-thinking in timely executing the HPV Vaccination Campaign under Mission Sanjeevani not only preempted the government's broader push but also delivered tangible results, vaccinating thousands and showcasing PSU leadership in women's health.
Launched at SECL Headquarters' Indira Vihar Health Centre in July 2025—well before national momentum built—the campaign marked SECL as the pioneer among PSUs. It targeted female employees and eligible female family members aged 9 to 26, using the Nonavalent HPV vaccine to curb infections leading to cervical cancer and related illnesses, reducing risk by up to 90 percent in the optimal age window.
The first phase exploded with over 2,400 registrations, underscoring immediate buy-in. Since inception, 133 women employees and 3,123 dependents have received doses—a metric of operational success and rising faith in prevention.
SECL's edge? A bespoke digital portal for real-time dose tracking, beneficiary oversight, follow-up scheduling, and record-keeping. Digital certificates issue automatically post-dose, ensuring transparency and seamless multi-dose adherence. This tech fusion positions SECL as a model for PSUs blending welfare with efficiency, far ahead of peers.
In mining's hazardous terrain, where safety reigns, SECL extended beyond workplaces to families, embedding gender-sensitive, holistic care.
Speaking tp PSUWatch.com, SECL CMD Harish Duhan captured the proactive ethos, he said “Preventive healthcare is not an option; it is a responsibility. Through the HPV vaccination initiative under Mission Sanjeevani, SECL is investing in the long-term health and security of our women employees and their families. When we protect women’s health, we strengthen families, workplaces, and communities.”
Director (HR) Biranchi Das added the workforce angle: “Employee welfare extends beyond salaries and service conditions. Health security—especially for women—is fundamental to building an inclusive and progressive workplace. The HPV vaccination campaign under Mission Sanjeevani is a reflection of SECL’s commitment to preventive care, awareness, and empowerment.”
Awareness drives by doctors covered HPV basics, cancer risks, and schedule completion, driving active participation. With cervical cancer hitting women in peak years, SECL's preemptive strike eases family and community burdens while boosting dignity and productivity.
Now, as the government readies its HPV rollout, SECL's 2025 head start proves prescient. Operating in dispersed mining zones, PSUs like SECL leverage internal infrastructure to plug health voids— a role amplified by Mission Sanjeevani's proactive, digital, inclusive framework.
Cervical cancer prevention hinges on awareness, vaccination, screening, and policy. National efforts scale up, but SECL's early mover status fortifies grassroots impact. In ESG and sustainable development eras, it recasts PSUs as health vanguards.
SECL didn't wait—it acted first, vaccinating ahead of the curve and building a replicable blueprint. This foresight safeguards women today, fortifying families and progress tomorrow.
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