NAWALPARASI: A Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign targeting 3,595 schoolgirls will be conducted in Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East) to help prevent cervical cancer.
According to Keshav Chapagain, head of the Provincial Public Health Office, Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East), the campaign will run from 13 to 25 February and cover sixth-grade girls studying in 174 community and institutional schools across the district.
“The vaccination program will be conducted in all eight local levels of the district,” Chapagain said. “A total of 810 students will be vaccinated in Kawasoti Municipality, 730 in Gaindakot, 635 in Devchuli, 552 in Madhyabindu, 384 in Binayi Triveni Rural Municipality, 271 in Hupsekot, 111 in Bulingtar, and 102 in Baudikali Rural Municipality.”
A total of 249 vaccination centers have been designated for the campaign. Chapagain said 339 health workers and an equal number of volunteers will be mobilized. He added that all necessary logistics, including syringes, safety boxes, vaccine carriers, and other materials, have already been arranged.
“HPV infection is a leading cause of cervical cancer in women. Vaccinating girls at an early age is expected to significantly reduce the risk of cervical cancer in the future,” Chapagain said, stressing that the vaccine is free, safe, and effective.
The Provincial Public Health Office has urged schools, parents, and local governments to ensure the participation of all targeted students. According to health statistics, an estimated 2,169 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year in Nepal, and 1,313 women die annually from the disease.
Health experts note that cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Nepal. Officials believe the campaign will play a crucial role in improving women’s health and reducing cervical cancer cases in the long term.
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