Former Health Minister Poudel Urges Government to Prioritize Cervical Cancer Screening

Kathmandu. Former Minister of Health and Population Pradeep Poudel has urged the government to prioritize and continue the free cancer screening program he initiated to prevent premature deaths of women due to cervical cancer. In a message of best wishes on the occasion of Mata Tirtha Aunsi, Poudel drew the government's attention to critical issues regarding women's health.

Highlighting that women's health is still often treated as a secondary priority in society, Poudel recalled the bitter reality that many mothers and sisters have lost their lives due to a lack of timely screening. He noted that during his tenure as minister, he launched the HPV vaccination campaign to protect adolescent girls from cervical cancer and a national-level screening program for women.

He expressed his belief that the current government will advance this campaign in a more refined and effective manner. Cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of death among women in Nepal.

Poudel stated that the main objective of both initiatives is to reduce the rising mortality rate caused by cancer. He demanded that this issue be placed on the state's main agenda, as a healthy family and a prosperous nation are only possible through healthy women.

He conveyed that ensuring the health protection of mothers is the true significance of this day.