In a recent development, health ministry officials have confirmed that actor Poonam Pandey is not being considered as the potential ambassador for the government’s national campaign on cervical cancer awareness. Earlier reports had suggested ongoing discussions between Pandey’s team and ministry officials regarding her involvement in the campaign.
On February 2, Poonam Pandey’s team orchestrated a controversial stunt, simulating the actor’s death to raise what they termed as ‘critical awareness’ about cervical cancer. The stunt claimed that Pandey had succumbed to the disease. However, a day later, Pandey released a video asserting her continued existence and emphasizing the importance of awareness and prevention in cervical cancer cases.
Despite Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s announcement in the interim budget speech about the government’s commitment to encouraging vaccination among girls aged 9-14 to prevent cervical cancer, Poonam Pandey’s potential role in the awareness campaign has been ruled out.
The Union Health Ministry remains focused on closely monitoring cervical cancer incidence in the country, emphasizing preventive measures and early detection. India, with approximately 16% of the world’s women, accounts for about a quarter of global cervical cancer incidence and nearly a third of cervical cancer deaths. The government’s strategy aims to address this alarming statistic by promoting vaccination and creating widespread awareness about preventive measures against cervical cancer.
As the government continues its efforts to combat cervical cancer, the exclusion of Poonam Pandey from the ambassador consideration underscores the importance of responsible advocacy and awareness initiatives in dealing with sensitive health issues.
