Cervical cancer prevention drive on the cards
The vaccination campaign is set to begin in Rawalpindi on September 18, with the District Health Authority (DHA) already initiating the training of master trainers in preparation.
Cervical cancer, primarily caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), carries a staggering mortality rate of 85%. Health experts emphasise that a single dose of the vaccine is sufficient to provide lasting immunity against the virus, offering a powerful defence against one of the most lethal forms of cancer affecting women globally.
Until now, Pakistan's immunization efforts have focused on protecting children from twelve major diseases — tuberculosis, diphtheria, measles, whooping cough, tetanus, pneumonia, polio, diarrhoea, typhoid, TB, and hepatitis B. However, the rising number of cervical cancer cases, particularly among young girls, has raised alarm across public health circles. Pakistan now ranks seventh globally in cervical cancer prevalence.
Medical experts stress that early vaccination — between the ages of 9 and 15 — not only strengthens the immune response but also offers long-term protection before potential exposure to the virus.
According to Dr Ehsan Ghani, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DHA Rawalpindi, the campaign will be rolled out in phases, beginning in Punjab and Sindh, and later expanding to Islamabad, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), and Balochistan.
To ensure smooth execution, training programmes for vaccination teams are already underway. Master trainers are being equipped with specialised knowledge, and a comprehensive micro-planning framework has been finalised.
Teams will function at three administrative levels — Union Council Medical Officers (UC MOs), Deputy District Health Officers (DDEHOs), and District Health Officers (DHOs) — to ensure coordinated implementation.
The initiative will be closely monitored by international partners, including UNICEF and the World Health Organisation (WHO), to uphold global standards of safety, efficiency, and effectiveness.
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Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
Cervical cancer prevention drive on the cards
As part of Pakistan's ongoing national immunisation programme to protect children from twelve life-threatening diseases, a new and critical initiative is being launched to vaccinate girls aged 9 to 15 against cervical cancer — a highly fatal yet preventable disease. The vaccination campaign is set to begin in Rawalpindi on September 18, with the District Health Authority (DHA) already initiating the training of master trainers in preparation. Cervical cancer, primarily caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), carries a staggering mortality rate of 85%. Health experts emphasise that a single dose of the vaccine is sufficient to provide lasting immunity against the virus, offering a powerful defence against one of the most lethal forms of cancer affecting women globally. Until now, Pakistan's immunization efforts have focused on protecting children from twelve major diseases — tuberculosis, diphtheria, measles, whooping cough, tetanus, pneumonia, polio, diarrhoea, typhoid, TB, and hepatitis B. However, the rising number of cervical cancer cases, particularly among young girls, has raised alarm across public health circles. Pakistan now ranks seventh globally in cervical cancer prevalence. Medical experts stress that early vaccination — between the ages of 9 and 15 — not only strengthens the immune response but also offers long-term protection before potential exposure to the virus. According to Dr Ehsan Ghani, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DHA Rawalpindi, the campaign will be rolled out in phases, beginning in Punjab and Sindh, and later expanding to Islamabad, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), and Balochistan. To ensure smooth execution, training programmes for vaccination teams are already underway. Master trainers are being equipped with specialised knowledge, and a comprehensive micro-planning framework has been finalised. Teams will function at three administrative levels — Union Council Medical Officers (UC MOs), Deputy District Health Officers (DDEHOs), and District Health Officers (DHOs) — to ensure coordinated implementation. The initiative will be closely monitored by international partners, including UNICEF and the World Health Organisation (WHO), to uphold global standards of safety, efficiency, and effectiveness.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
Anti-dengue drive ramped up
In response to the increase in dengue mosquito breeding during the rainy season, the District Health Authority (DHA) has accelerated its dengue prevention efforts. To curb the spread of dengue, the authority has significantly enhanced indoor and outdoor surveillance, with field teams focusing on intensified larvae detection and elimination activities. "Wherever larvae are found, we are conducting Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS), and in areas where adult mosquitoes are detected, fogging is also being carried out as recommended by entomologists," said DHA Chief Dr Asif Arbab Niazi. He said the authority was targeting daily hotspots, such as open plots and areas with stagnant water to prevent larvae development.
Business Recorder
16-07-2025
- Business Recorder
Shifa Int'l Hospital, FDI organize workshop
ISLAMABAD: Shifa International Hospital, in collaboration with the Federal Directorate of Immunization (FDI), Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination (MoNHSR&C), hosted a Strategic Workshop on Cervical Cancer-Free Pakistan at its premises in Islamabad aimed to mobilize senior expertise of Shifa International Hospital for Pakistan's HPV vaccine campaign. By preventing HPV infections, the vaccine offers a powerful shield against cervical cancer, safeguarding women's health for the future. The workshop brought together over 100 healthcare professionals from gynaecology, paediatrics, internal medicine, infectious diseases, and research. Representatives from WHO, UNICEF, GAVI, the Gates Foundation, DHO Islamabad, and the EPI team also participated. Speaking as Chief Guest, Dr. Soofia Yunus, Director General FDI, stressed the importance of community ownership in immunization campaigns. She thanked Shifa's leadership Dr. Zeeshan Bin Ishtiaque (CEO), Dr. Aamer Nazir (Medical Director), Dr. Shazia Fakhar, Dr. Ejaz Khan, and Dr. Khadeeja Azhar for their collaboration, calling the public-private partnership a strong step toward national health goals. Dr. Zeeshan Bin Ishtiaque, CEO of Shifa International Hospital, reaffirmed the hospital's commitment to playing a leading role in cervical cancer prevention and public health advocacy. He also appreciated the efforts of Shifa Foundation for serving underprivileged communities across Pakistan. Dr. Shazia Fakhar, Consultant Gynaecologist at Shifa, and Dr. Ejaz Khan, Consultant in Infectious Diseases at Shifa, shared medical insights on the role of the HPV vaccine, emphasizing the collective responsibility to safeguard young girls from preventable diseases like cervical cancer. Dr. Xia Wei, WHO Team Lead, conveyed support from the WHO Country Office, committing continued technical assistance for HPV vaccine rollout. Dr. Yasmine Challoub, Senior Manager, Immunization, UNICEF Pakistan, reiterated UNICEF's mission to ensure equitable access to vaccines, terming HPV vaccination a right, not a privilege. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
