Islamabad: In a significant step towards cervical cancer prevention, Shifa International Hospital, in collaboration with the Federal Directorate of Immunization (FDI), Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination (MoNHSR&C), organized a strategic workshop titled “Cervical Cancer-Free Pakistan” at its Islamabad premises on Tuesday. The initiative aims to mobilize Shifa’s senior clinical leadership in support of Pakistan’s national HPV vaccination campaign.
The workshop focused on strengthening public-private cooperation to promote awareness and accelerate the rollout of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which plays a crucial role in preventing cervical cancer — a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Pakistan.
Over 100 healthcare professionals representing gynecology, pediatrics, internal medicine, infectious diseases, and clinical research participated in the event. Key representatives from global and national organizations including WHO, UNICEF, GAVI, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, District Health Office Islamabad, and the national Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) were also in attendance.
Dr. Soofia Yunus, Director General of the Federal Directorate of Immunization, served as the chief guest. In her keynote address, she underlined the importance of community ownership in immunization campaigns and lauded Shifa International Hospital’s proactive support. “The fight against cervical cancer requires more than just vaccines; it demands collaboration, awareness, and trust between government, healthcare providers, and the communities we serve,” she said. Dr. Yunus also acknowledged the contributions of Dr. Zeeshan Bin Ishtiaque (CEO), Dr. Aamer Nazir (Medical Director), Dr. Shazia Fakhar, Dr. Ejaz Khan, and Dr. Khadeeja Azhar for their leadership and commitment.
Dr. Zeeshan Bin Ishtiaque, CEO of Shifa International Hospital, reiterated the institution’s dedication to public health and called the HPV campaign a “moral imperative” to protect future generations. “Cervical cancer is preventable, and we at Shifa are fully committed to playing a leading role in public health education and vaccine delivery. Our partnership with FDI and global stakeholders marks a promising beginning,” he stated. He also acknowledged the work of the Shifa Foundation in providing outreach and care to underserved communities across the country.
Medical experts including Dr. Shazia Fakhar, Consultant Gynecologist, and Dr. Ejaz Khan, Consultant in Infectious Diseases at Shifa, provided technical briefings on the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine. “Vaccinating young girls before exposure to HPV is critical in preventing cervical cancer,” said Dr. Fakhar, while Dr. Khan emphasized the need to dispel myths and overcome social barriers to vaccine acceptance.
Dr. Xia Wei, WHO Pakistan Team Lead, reaffirmed the World Health Organization’s support for HPV vaccination in Pakistan and pledged continued technical guidance and collaboration. “The WHO remains committed to ensuring Pakistan reaches its cervical cancer elimination goals,” she said.
Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Yasmine Challoub, Senior Manager for Immunization at UNICEF Pakistan, stated, “HPV vaccination is not a privilege—it is a right. UNICEF will continue to work to ensure every girl has access to this life-saving protection.”
The event concluded with a call to action for unified efforts between government institutions, healthcare providers, development partners, and civil society to ensure equitable and widespread access to the HPV vaccine and eliminate cervical cancer as a public health threat in Pakistan.
Ends