The Department of Community Medicine organized an awareness seminar on HPV vaccination in collaboration with UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), and the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department. The event aimed to raise awareness about the launch of the HPV vaccination program in Pakistan. Pakistan remains one of the few countries in South Asia without a national HPV vaccination initiative, despite the pressing need.
Prof Dr Mubashira Naz, Head of the Gynaecology Department and Additional Medical Superintendent (AMS) at Madinah Teaching Hospital, highlighted the global impact of cervical cancer, stating that it is the fourth most common cancer among women, with approximately 604,000 new cases reported annually worldwide. She noted that 80% of these cases are in developing countries and that the prevalence of cervical cancer is alarmingly high in Pakistan. Prof Naz pointed out the low rates of cervical cancer screening in the country, largely due to the stigma and societal taboos associated with the disease.
Dr Mudasir Saleem, Divisional Officer for WHO Punjab, acknowledged the concerted efforts of Pakistan’s Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in Punjab, supported by WHO, to enhance vaccination coverage against 12 preventable diseases. He emphasized that vaccination coverage in Punjab is notably higher compared to other provinces.
Dr Khurram Mubeen Khan, Immunization Officer at UNICEF, discussed the current immunization status in Punjab under EPI and emphasized that cervical cancer is the only cancer in women that can be prevented through vaccination. He noted that with UNICEF’s support, the HPV vaccination program will be launched in Pakistan, initially targeting girls aged 9 to 14. Dr Khan explained that early HPV vaccination, before the onset of cervical changes, is highly effective in preventing cervical cancer.
Dr Samra Khan, Additional Director of EPI Punjab, praised the Pakistani government’s commitment to routine immunization services aimed at reducing disease-related mortality and morbidity. She advocated for public-private partnerships across health sectors to strengthen Pakistan’s healthcare services.
Associate Professor and Head of the Community Medicine Department, Dr Sumera Riaz, commended UNICEF, GAVI, and WHO for their continued support of Pakistan’s immunization programs. She stressed that Pakistan urgently needs a national HPV vaccination program to reduce cervical cancer mortality, highlighting that an estimated 68.6 million women over the age of 15 are at risk. Dr Riaz noted that cervical cancer is the third most common cancer among Pakistani women and can be effectively prevented with vaccination.
In closing, Principal Prof Dr Akram Malik expressed appreciation for UNICEF and other global partners' support in advancing the HPV vaccination initiative to protect Pakistani women from cervical cancer. The seminar concluded with remarks from CEO Health Faisalabad, Dr. Asfandyar, who provided an overview of the District Health Authority Faisalabad's efforts in preventing deadly infectious diseases through routine immunization.
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