Imran Zakir
KARACHI: The ultimate and monumental launch of the HPV vaccination marketing campaign was held on Monday at Khatoon-e-Pakistan Ladies Faculty in Karachi. The occasion was graced by Sindh Minister for Well being and Inhabitants Welfare, Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, Sindh Minister for Training and Literacy, Sardar Ali Shah, senior authorities officers, collaborative companions, and stakeholders.
Undertaking Director of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) Sindh, Dr. Raj Kumar, in his welcome tackle, stated Sindh has all the time been on the forefront of immunization beneath visionary management. “We goal to succeed in each woman throughout the province-whether at school or at home-with the difficult goal of vaccinating 4.1 million women to guard them from HPV-related cancers. The Literacy Division has performed a vital position on this marketing campaign, and we’re grateful to our coalition companions, particularly the World Well being Group (WHO) for technical assist, UNICEF for neighborhood engagement, and 1122 for readiness and operational assist,” he famous.
Tabani Macolza, Nation Director at GAVI, termed the marketing campaign “the start of eliminating HPV from society.” He praised Dr. Pechuho’s relentless efforts and political management for supporting the initiative. “Crucial folks in the present day are the ladies themselves. Early screening and vaccination can save numerous lives in low-income international locations,” he added.
Dr. Xia Wei, WHO-EPI Crew Lead in Pakistan, emphasised that the HPV vaccine, already launched in over 150 international locations, will shield thousands and thousands of ladies. “Yearly, 5,000 ladies in Pakistan are identified with cervical most cancers. This marketing campaign is a reputable step towards eradicating the illness,” she stated.
Mr. Prem Bahadur Chand, Chief Subject Workplace, UNICEF Sindh, stated: “This marketing campaign marks the beginning of a journey to eradicate a lethal virus. Now, women have the chance for life-saving safety. Its success is determined by collective effort and multisector collaboration.”
Singer and social activist Shahzad Roy, President of Zindagi Belief, highlighted how organizations like AMAN and Zindagi Belief are working to counter misconceptions about HPV vaccination. “Dad and mom and women gave consent as soon as they have been correctly knowledgeable. Sindh stays a pioneer in addressing social well being points and training reforms,” he stated.
Training Minister Sardar Ali Shah famous the social boundaries confronted by ladies in Pakistan. “Ours is a male-dominated society, and we should shield our ladies not solely from social challenges but in addition from illnesses like HPV,” he stated.
Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, who led the ceremony, shared her private motivation. “I’ve seen many ladies reside painful lives resulting from HPV-related cancers, usually identified too late. That is the one most cancers for which a preventive vaccine exists, and we should guarantee well timed safety for our daughters,” she stated.
In a symbolic second, the daughter of Dr. Khalid Shafi, Secretary Normal of the Pakistan Pediatric Affiliation, obtained the HPV vaccine.
The launch was attended by Secretary Well being Dr. Rehan Iqbal Baloch, Secretary Training and Literacy Zahid Abbasi, Dr. Abdul Bari Khan (CEO, Indus Hospital), Khalid Mehmood (MD, Getz Pharma), Dr. Sara Paul (former President, SOGP), Dr. Tazeen Abbas (Secretary Normal, SOGP), Brig (R) Tarique Qaudir Lakhiar (CEO, SIEHS), Dr. Saqib Sheikh (Director, Well being Providers Karachi), and others.
