Islamabad: Pakistan is set to launch its first-ever national HPV vaccination campaign from September 15 to 27, a historic step aimed at preventing cervical cancer—the second most common cancer among women in the country.
The campaign will target around 13 million girls aged 9 to 14 in Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, using a single-dose vaccine that provides lifelong protection.
In preparation for the drive, DOPASI Foundation in partnership with FDI and with support from Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, convened a strategic workshop in Islamabad to mobilize support for a “cervical cancer free Pakistan.”
The event gathered health experts, government officials and civil society representatives who underlined that doctors, private hospitals and non-governmental organizations would play a decisive role in ensuring success.
Dr. Farhaj Uddin, Program Manager for the HPV campaign at DOPASI Foundation, said the initiative was not only about delivering vaccines but also about advocacy and community mobilization to dispel myths. “We are committed to supporting the government in reaching every eligible girl and in building public confidence around this vaccine,” he stressed.
Highlighting the role of medical professionals, Dr. Khurram Shahzad, Director Technical at FDI, said the public trusts doctors more than anyone else when it comes to vaccine safety. “Their voice is the most effective tool to counter myths and misconceptions,” he noted.
Director General Health Services CDA, Dr. Irshad Ali Jokhio, announced that the HPV vaccine will be added to Pakistan’s routine immunization program, while Dr. Rozeena Khalid of WHO reminded participants that cervical cancer is claiming more Pakistani women each year than breast cancer. “Vaccinating adolescent girls is the only way to reduce the burden of this preventable disease,” she said.
Dr. Saima Khursheed Zubair added that while cervical cancer affects adult women, vaccination before the age of 15 is critical to ensuring lifelong protection.
Speakers emphasized that Pakistan has set itself the ambitious target of vaccinating 18 million girls over the next three years, a goal only achievable through active engagement of civil society and healthcare providers. Acknowledging DOPASI Foundation’s leadership, participants praised its role in awareness-building and outreach at the community level.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Bilal Arshad, CEO of Ali Medical Hospital, said the campaign’s fate ultimately lies in the hands of doctors. “Their advocacy will decide whether Pakistan can meet its target and save millions of lives in the years to come.”
With this campaign, Pakistan will join 149 other nations that have already introduced the HPV vaccine. Health leaders hailed the move as a turning point in public health, describing it as an investment in protecting adolescent girls today and preventing cervical cancer tomorrow.
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