HPV Vaccination Campaign Launched in Nawalparasi to Prevent Cervical Cancer in Girls

Nawalparasi. An HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccination campaign targeting 3,595 girls to prevent cervical cancer will be conducted in Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East).

According to Keshav Chapagain, Chief of the Provincial Public Health Office, Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East), 3,595 female students across the district will benefit from the campaign, which will run from Falgun 1 to Falgun 13. He informed that the campaign targets female students in Grade 6 studying in 174 community and institutional schools.

“The vaccination program will be operational in all eight local levels of the district,” he said. “Kawasoti Municipality will vaccinate the highest number of students, 810, followed by Gaidaghat Municipality with 730, Devchuli Municipality with 635, Madhyabindu Municipality with 552, Binayi Triveni Rural Municipality with 384, Hupsekot Rural Municipality with 271, Bulingtar Rural Municipality with 111, and Baudikali Rural Municipality with 102 targeted female students.”

A total of 249 vaccination centers have been designated in the district for the campaign. Chief Chapagain informed that 339 health workers and an equal number of volunteers will be mobilized for the campaign. The Provincial Public Health Office stated that arrangements for necessary materials such as syringes, safety boxes, and vaccine carriers for the vaccination have also been completed.

“Since cervical cancer in women is caused by HPV virus infection, it is believed that vaccinating during childhood will significantly reduce the risk of cancer in the future,” he said. “The vaccine is completely free, safe, and effective.”

The Provincial Public Health Office has urged schools, parents, and local levels to cooperate in ensuring all targeted female students participate in the vaccination campaign. According to estimates in Nepal, 2,169 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year. Health office data indicates that 1,313 women die from cervical cancer annually.

Experts state that cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer among women. This campaign, viewed as a significant step towards reducing cervical cancer, is expected to contribute to improving women's health in the long term.