Around 14,000 individuals estimated to die annually due to cancer in Nepal
KATHMANDU, Feb 5: Around 140,000 teenage girls were vaccinated on the first day of the HPV vaccination campaign against cervical cancer, which the government launched nationwide on Tuesday.
According to the Vaccination Branch under the Family Welfare Division (FWD) of the Health Ministry, although the campaign was effectively conducted in most districts, the attendance of girl students in some districts was low due to the immersion program of Shree Panchami Puja. “Students were absent due to the immersion of Saraswati Puja in many districts of Madhesh Province,” said Dr. Abhiyan Gautam, Head of the FWD.
Reports from other districts indicate enthusiasm among adolescent girls regarding the vaccination. “Almost all adolescent girls in schools were found to be ready to receive the vaccine,” he said.
Teenage girls facing Anemia due to lack of nutrition
Additionally, it was found that school nurses and teachers had provided students with comprehensive information about the vaccine. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli launched the free HPV vaccination campaign against cervical cancer across the country. He initiated the program by visiting the Baluwatar-based Shivapuri Higher Secondary School on Tuesday.
During the event, the campaign was formally launched by handing over health supplies to health workers of Kathmandu Metropolitan City-3. While launching the vaccination campaign, PM Oli urged girls in grades 6 to 10 and out-of-school girls aged 10 to 14 to get vaccinated. “Everyone’s cooperation is necessary to make this campaign successful,” he said.
According to the Ministry of Health and Population, the vaccination campaign will be conducted across the country until February 17. Under the campaign, vaccines will be provided through 19,000 schools and 8,000 health institutions.
This is the largest vaccination campaign against cervical cancer ever launched by the Government of Nepal. The government aims to vaccinate around 1.68 million adolescent girls across the country. The Ministry of Health has stated that this campaign will be crucial in expanding access to the HPV vaccine and reducing the burden of cervical cancer in Nepal.
Every year, about 22,000 people in Nepal are diagnosed with cancer, and 14,000 die from it. This data was made public at a program organized by Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital on Tuesday on the occasion of World Cancer Day.
Acting Executive Director of Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital, Dr. Ujjwal Chalise, emphasized the importance of preventing cancer as much as possible and ensuring early detection and appropriate treatment if diagnosed.
During the program, Minister for Health and Population Pradip Paudel stated that the Ministry is working to make chemotherapy available free of charge. He also mentioned the need for hospitals to ensure the availability of all types of medicines in their pharmacies to provide comprehensive services. Minister Paudel also inaugurated a new reporting vending machine at Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital.
According to data released by the hospital, 3,500 new patients have received treatment each year over the past five years. In 2023 alone, 3,564 people received services. The hospital reported that a total of 16,675 patients have received services in the last five years. The data also shows that the number of women receiving services in the last five years is higher than that of men. According to hospital statistics, 9,212 women and 7,463 men received services during this period.
