The World Health Organisation (WHO) is likely to sponsor the distribution of the new human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine free of cost in India. The vaccine protects against a varieties of HPV known to cause most cases of cervical cancer. It is the common cancer among women in India, according to director of Apollo Cancer Institute Vijay Anand P Reddy.

Speaking in the inaugural function of 'Cancer CI-2008,' the two-day international conference organised by Apollo Cancer Institute, Reddy said the HPV was the cause of 90 per cent of cervical cancers and three doses of vaccine would provide 99.9 per cent protection against the disease. The vaccine is yet to be introduced in the country, he said.

Andhra Pradesh Governor N D Tiwari, who inaugurated the conference, informed the delegates that the Union government had quadrupled allocation in the budget for the fight against cancer. The current allocation was as large as Rs 500 crore, he said.

Union Minister for Women and Child Development Renuka Chowdary pointed out that "ignorance, superstition and cultural practices have kept the women out of the decision-making process. It leads to the women becoming more prone to the disease".