KATHMANDU, JANUARY 16
The Ministry of Health and Population has dispatched the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, aimed at preventing cervical cancer, to all seven provinces.
The government is set to launch a nationwide program from February 4 to 18 to administer the HPV vaccine to 1.688 million girls aged 10-14 years.
Dr. Pawan Jung Rayamajhi, Director of the Logistic Management Division at the Department of Health Services, stated that 1.77 million doses of the HPV vaccine, provided to Nepal free of cost by the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI), have been distributed across all provinces.
He emphasized that the vaccine, supported by GAVI, aims to protect girls from cervical cancer. According to Dr. Rayamajhi, 275,180 doses were sent to Koshi Province, 380,460 to Madhes Province, 125,800 to Bagmati (Hetauda), 218,280 to Bagmati (Bhaktapur), 130,870 to Gandaki Province, 298,910 to Lumbini Province, 124,400 to Karnali Province, and 187,120 to Sudurpaschim Province. These provinces will further distribute the vaccines to their respective districts.
Dr. Rayamajhi also highlighted that four women die from cervical cancer every day in Nepal, underscoring the critical importance of this vaccination initiative.
