Chitwan district has initiated a program to provide HPV vaccines to 31,570 adolescent girls. These vaccines are aimed at protecting the girls from cervical cancer, with a focus on those aged between 9 to 14 years old. The District Health Office in Chitwan has organized an awareness program, where 433 vaccine centers will operate from Magh 22 to 15 days thereafter. Bimal Patel, an official from the District Health Office, mentioned that these centers will be managed by 555 health workers and 1010 volunteers. Additionally, all local levels will conduct a one-week vaccination campaign, while Bharatpur Metropolitan City plans to run the campaign for 10 days.
Efforts have been made to prepare vaccination centers within schools for adolescent girls. Those girls who do not attend school will have the opportunity to receive the vaccine on the last day of the campaign. In Nepal, more than 2,000 girls are at risk of cervical cancer. Dinesh Rupakheti, the head of the office, emphasized the importance of incorporating this vaccine into annual programs to ensure continuity.
According to Rupakheti, 90% of adolescent girls will be vaccinated, and 90% of women aged 30 to 49 years will undergo screening for cervical cancer. Those confirmed through the screening will receive treatment under the government’s initiative. The vaccination campaign will target girls studying from grades 6 to 10.
This vaccination program was previously conducted in Chitwan and Kaski during the fiscal year 2072/73 in Nepal.
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Author: MAYA | HARUTO
Posted at: January 2, 2025 8:34 am
