A launching event for the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign took place at the NIPSOM auditorium in Mohakhali, Dhaka, on Monday, October 2, 2023. The Government of Bangladesh organized this event with the support of WHO Bangladesh; Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and UNICEF Bangladesh.
This initiative aims to protect the health and future of millions of women and girls across the country by safeguarding them against cervical cancer, a disease that results in the loss of thousands of lives each year among women in the country.
Honorable Minister of Health and Family Welfare Zahid Maleque, MP graced the event as the chief guest. Other special guests included Md Saidur Rahman, Additional Secretary (Administration and WH), Health Service Division; Prof. Dr. Ahmedul Kabir, Additional Director General (Planning & Development) DGHS; Dr. Rajendra Bohara, Team Leader of IVD at the World Health Organization; and Ms. Maya Vandenent, Head of Health at UNICEF Bangladesh.
The event also saw the participation of high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Finance and Health, and development partners. Dr. Mohammed Nizam Uddin, Director & Line Director of MNC&AH, delivered the inaugural speeches. The event was chaired by Professor Dr. Abul Bashar Mohammed Khurshid Alam, Director General of Health Services.
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Honorable Health Minister delivering his speech. Photo credit: WHO / Salma Sultana
The honorable Minister expressed his commitment to reaching vulnerable communities and engaging all Ministries and city corporations in implementing this vaccination campaign, including out-of-school girls and those who are homeless. He further stated that the first phase, taking place in Dhaka division over next 18 days, will ensure all eligible girls receive the vaccine at their educational institutes or designated vaccination centers after registering on the 'Vaxepi' app or website. Subsequently, other divisions will be covered in 2024.
With the aim of targeting 10 million girls studying in grades V to IX, including those who are out of educational institutions and aged between 10 to 14 years, this HPV vaccination campaign has officially started in Dhaka division. The campaign will be rolled out across the country in three phases. The vaccine will be provided free of cost for all girls aged 10 to 14 years.
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Dr Rajendra Bohara, Team Lead, IVD, WHO Bangladesh delivered his speech. Photo credit: WHO / Salma Sultana
WHO and UNICEF are closely collaborating with the government to ensure the successful execution of the vaccination campaign. WHO has provided technical expertise to enhance the capacity of health workers through extensive training and orientation sessions during the vaccination process.
Dr. Rajendra Bohara expressed his gratitude to the Bangladesh Government for launching this vaccination campaign in the Dhaka Division, targeting all eligible girls. He said, this initiative will make a significant contribution to the well-being of the female population, both now and in the future. WHO takes pride in its collaboration on this crucial vaccine introduction and encourages everyone to support eligible adolescent girls in receiving the HPV vaccine.”
“In Bangladesh, cervical cancer ranks as the second most common cancer among women and is responsible for the highest number of cancer-related deaths in the country. Approximately 8,300 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed every year in Bangladesh, leading to 4,900 deaths. These statistics on new cases and deaths can be changed if everyone acts now to ensure that every girl aged 10 to 14 years has access to a single dose of the HPV vaccine.” Dr. Bardan Jung Rana, WHO Representative to Bangladesh mentioned in the press release on the HPV launching.
After speeches by all the dignitaries, the Honorable Minister officially launched the vaccination campaign. As part of the event, a vaccination session was held, during which several schoolgirls received their vaccinations.
Cervical cancer is caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), and a single dose of the HPV vaccine has the potential to prevent cervical cancer. This campaign represents a crucial step toward eliminating this threat. For more information on the topics covered in this web story, please contact ssultana@who.int
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