Deputy Commissioner Sahiwal Shahid Mehmood chaired the first formal meeting of the District Oversight and Coordination Committee regarding the national HPV vaccine campaign.
CEO Health Sahiwal Dr. Abdul Majeed Niazi, DHO Dr. Muhammad Tahir Chaudhry, and officers from other relevant departments attended the meeting.
While addressing the meeting, Deputy Commissioner Shahid Mehmood clarified that the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine serves as an effective, scientific, and safe way to protect girls from the deadly disease of cervical cancer. The World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health have recommended the provision of this vaccine.
He directed the Health Department to launch a well-organized and coordinated awareness campaign at the district level to inform the public about the vaccine’s benefits, procedures, and potential concerns. He emphasized the need to eliminate misconceptions and baseless rumors from society.
Participants thoroughly discussed the schedule of the vaccination campaign, administrative measures, security, community engagement, and the roles of various departments during the meeting.
DHO Dr. Muhammad Tahir Chaudhry informed the attendees that health teams would vaccinate 180,000 girls aged 9 to 14 across the district during the campaign running from September 15 to September 27.
Deputy Commissioner Shahid Mehmood reaffirmed that the district administration would use all available resources and play a leading role in making this national campaign successful so that girls can stay safe from this life-threatening disease in the future.
What is Cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix — the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. It is one of the most common types of cancer affecting women worldwide, especially in developing countries.
The primary cause of cervical cancer is persistent infection with high-risk types of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus transmitted through sexual contact.
In its early stages, cervical cancer may not show noticeable symptoms, which makes regular screening and early detection crucial. When detected early, it is one of the most preventable and treatable forms of cancer. Vaccination against HPV, routine Pap smears, and awareness play a vital role in reducing the risk of cervical cancer.