Sindh moves to introduce HPV vaccine to combat cervical cancer


IV Report

KARACHI: Sindh province has initiated advocacy efforts to introduce the single-dose bivalent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for girls aged 9-14, aiming to eliminate cervical cancer.

The Sindh Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), supported by UNICEF Sindh, held its first advocacy meeting and seminar on September 5, chaired by Provincial Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho and attended by Health Secretary Rehan Iqbal Baloch.

Pakistan's EPI schedule currently covers 12 diseases, but lacks vaccines for adolescents and adults. The National Immunisation Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) has recommended introducing HPV vaccines, with Punjab, Sindh, and Islamabad likely to roll out the program in 2025.

Addressing the seminar, Dr Pechuho emphasised the provincial government's commitment to women's health, citing Sindh's advocacy for female rights and vaccination programs. “The HPV advocacy initiative is one of our key projects, and we are committed to launching the vaccine against cervical cancer soon,” she mentioned.

Secretary Rehan Baloch highlighted Sindh's proactive vaccination efforts, ensuring the HPV vaccine's launch and protection for eligible children.

EPI Project Director Dr Muhammad Naeem welcomed participants, including gynecologists, oncologists, pediatricians, polio team members, academia, nursing schools, NGOs, CSOs, UNICEF, WHO, and Sindh Education department representatives.

Dr Naeem emphasised HPV vaccination as a health department priority, highlighting ongoing efforts to protect children and women from preventable diseases.

Prof Dr Khalid Shafi, NITAG Chair and General Secretary of Pakistan Pediatric Association, presented research findings: Cervical cancer is Pakistan's third leading cancer among women; 5,000 new cases are diagnosed annually; Women over 15 are at risk of developing cervical cancer.

Prof Sadia Ahsan Pal, Vice President of Association for Mother and Newborns, highlighted several concerns: Absence of universal screening and HPV vaccine; Rural and impoverished populations are most vulnerable; Cervical cancer is often diagnosed in advanced stages in Pakistan.

Dr Aliya Aziz from Aga Khan University Hospital stated: Pakistan ranks among the top 7 countries with highest cervical cancer rates; In 2023, 5,008 women were diagnosed, and 3,760 lost their lives.

Other speakers included Dr Fouzia Khan, Prof Dr Halima Yasmin, and Dr Sohail Shaikh. Attendees included Director General Sindh Health ervices Dr Waqar Mehmood Memon, Irshad Sodhar, Dr Kamal Asghar, Dr Badar Munir, and others.

With an uninterrupted 23-year career in daily journalism (1991-2013), the author/editor of this blog currently serves as Editor of Social Track, a weekly newspaper focused on social sectors, based in Karachi. Holding a master's degree in Mass Communications from the University of Karachi (1990), his professional experience includes roles as senior reporter at Daily Dawn, Karachi (May 2001-August 2013) and Chief Reporter at The News International, Karachi (April 1991-May 2001). He has a strong background in development journalism, he has an extensive portfolio of news stories, analytical reports and features covering a wide range of sectors. He has had the privilege of covering numerous high-profile figures, including Pakistani presidents, prime ministers, army chiefs, foreign dignitaries, and VVIPs and attending conferences and workshops abroad. He began his journalism career in the early 1980s. Throughout his career, he has received several national awards from government and private organisations. He has contributed to various radio and TV/channel broadcasts and has also served as a trainer at workshops in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, focused on training journalists.

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