The Ministry of Health and Population has announced the arrival of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccines in Nepal to combat cervical cancer. This effort has been made possible with the support of the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI).
Dr. Pawan Jung Rayamajhi, Director of the Supply Management Division of the Department of Health Services, confirmed that 460,940 doses of the HPV vaccine have been received and stored at a facility in Teku. These vaccines will be gradually distributed to provinces.
A nationwide vaccination drive is scheduled to begin on February 5, 2025, targeting adolescent girls aged 10 to 14 years, both in and out of school, from classes 6 to 10. The 15-day campaign aims to vaccinate approximately 1,688,900 girls, according to Dr. Abhiyan Gautam, Chief of the Child Health and Vaccination Section.
GAVI has pledged to provide Nepal with a total of 1.77 million vaccine doses.
Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Nepal, with four women succumbing to the disease each day. HPV infection is identified as the primary cause of cervical cancer, linked to factors such as early marriage, frequent childbirth, poor genital hygiene, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and multiple sexual partners.
The introduction of the HPV vaccine is expected to significantly reduce the prevalence of cervical cancer, which currently ranks as the most common cancer among women in Nepal, followed by breast cancer.
19th Dec 2024
Comments