Nagaland launches Teeka Talk initiative

DIMAPUR: The Department of Health & Family Welfare, in collaboration with Girl Effect India, launched Teeka Talk on Thursday at the Directorate of Health & Family Welfare Conference Hall, Kohima. The initiative aims to strengthen awareness and engagement around HPV vaccination and prevention of cervical cancer among adolescent girls, parents, and communities across Nagaland.
According to a DIPR report, principal director, Dr. Keveduyi Theyo, said Nagaland is committed to ensuring adolescent girls and their families have access to accurate and trusted information on HPV vaccination. He stressed the importance of coordination between Health, Education and Women & Child Development departments, alongside meaningful engagement with schools, communities and frontline workers.
State Immunization Officer, Dr. Imkongtemsu Longchar, highlighted cervical cancer as a major public health concern in India. He noted that HPV vaccination offers a vital opportunity to prevent infections that cause most cervical cancers. He urged parents and caregivers to support eligible girls in receiving the vaccine at the recommended age, thereby protecting them later in life.
Director of Girl Effect India, Kavita Ayyagari, explained that Teeka Talk seeks to make trusted information on HPV vaccination easier to access and understand through schools, communities, parent engagement and digital platforms. She emphasized the importance of reaching diverse communities in formats and languages that resonate locally, helping families feel confident in their decisions.
The launch included perspectives from Kohima and Dimapur districts, with over 60 stakeholders from Health, Education and WCD departments participating. Discussions focused on strengthening outreach through schools, parents and community engagement. The next phase will emphasize coordinated implementation across districts to ensure adolescent girls and their families can access credible information.
The Government of Nagaland is providing free HPV vaccination to girls aged 14 years at government health facilities. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in India, with 78,499 cases diagnosed and 42,392 deaths in 2024 (NCRP–ICMR). Vaccinating girls at the recommended age offers a critical opportunity to reduce this burden.
Teeka Talk also features a WhatsApp-based chatbot that provides parents with clear, credible information and answers to common questions about HPV vaccination and cervical cancer.
Girl Effect India, an independent non-profit, has been working since 2019 on adolescent health and wellbeing. Its flagship interventions include the Bol Behen AI-powered chatbot and ChhaaJaa digital platform, alongside on-ground programs like Gully Youth Labs and Tipi Tipi Talk. The organization leverages media, mobile technology and AI-powered platforms to empower adolescent girls with knowledge, confidence and agency.