Anti-cancer 'HPV' vaccine doses made available in Nepal

KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 19: The Ministry of Health and Population, with assistance from the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI), has imported Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines to combat cervical cancer.

According to Dr. Pawan Jung Rayamajhi, Director of the Supply Management Division at the Department of Health Services, 460,940 doses of the vaccine have been received. These vaccines are currently stored in a facility in Teku and will be gradually distributed to the provinces.

The government has announced a vaccination campaign starting February 5 to protect adolescent girls from cervical cancer at an early age. As part of the 15-day campaign, 1,688,900 girls aged 10 to 14, including those in grades 6 to 10 and out-of-school children, will receive the vaccine, informed Dr. Abhiyan Gautam, Chief of the Child Health and Vaccination Section.

GAVI has pledged to provide Nepal with 1.77 million doses of the HPV vaccine. Currently, four women die of cervical cancer every day in Nepal.

HPV infection is a major risk factor for cervical cancer, making vaccination essential for preventing this life-threatening disease. The infection is often caused by factors such as early marriage, premature childbearing, having multiple children, short intervals between pregnancies, sexual activity with multiple partners, excessive smoking and drinking, and poor genital hygiene.

Cervical cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women in Nepal, followed by breast cancer.

RSS