Photo story: The lifelines of the HPV vaccination campaign

The day begins early for Hemlata Shrestha (top) and Binita Maharjan (bottom), Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs), who carry the necessary vaccination supplies to the session sites. Today, they are headed to New Florence International Boarding School in Kalimati, Kathmandu, where the vaccination team aims to vaccinate 26 eligible girls. Binita, a cervical cancer survivor, is delighted to support health workers in vaccinating eligible girls against this life-threatening disease.

"As a cervical cancer survivor, this campaign holds a deeply personal meaning for me. My mother also battled the same condition, and I know firsthand how life-changing this vaccine can be. I share my story with the families I meet, and because they know me from years of working on government health campaigns, they trust me," she shares.

Meanwhile, Hemlata, a FCHV with 17 years of experience, readies all necessary paperwork.

One by one, the eligible girls start arriving for their HPV vaccines. The FCHVs double-check their provided details. Their in-depth attention ensures that the vaccination records are accurate and complete.

With all the details registered, the FCHVs mobilize the girls towards the vaccination room. The FCHVs will also conduct follow-ups with the girls to observe for any Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFIs), which are rare. Their commitment ensures that these young girls are protected against cervical cancer, a disease that claims the lives of four Nepali women on average on a daily basis.

Outside the vaccination room, Principal Roshan Raj Gurung of New Florence International Boarding School ensures HPV-related notices are in place for students, staff and health workers, facilitating a seamless process. The school has also been a venue for several other national health campaigns, including recently conducted measles-rubella and polio vaccination campaigns. He knows the school’s support is crucial in creating a safe and organized environment.

"We worked closely with parents, addressing their concerns and dispelling misinformation.  We told them, ‘This is a golden opportunity – a gift of lifelong protection'," he says.

Inside the vaccination room, Rammaya Basnet, a vaccinator, ensures all logistical items are in place to administer the vaccines.

After registration, the girls enter the vaccination room one at a time. Some feel a little anxious, but the school teachers, health workers and FCHVs keep them calm, answering all their questions and counseling them regarding the safety and importance of the HPV vaccine. Their compassion and patience help ease the anxieties of the girls, making the experience positive and empowering.

"Today, the girls were excited. Some even told me they felt no pain. Together with the school administration, we reassured parents and girls by explaining that this vaccine has been successfully used in many other countries. While some parents were hesitant, many were already aware of its benefits, particularly those who knew that this vaccine was successfully administered at Paropakar Maternity and Women's Hospital," says Hemlata.

The once nervous girls are now all smiles, excited for their future.

The joy on the faces of the vaccinated girls and the school principal says it all, reflecting the success of the day and the hope for a healthier future.

“The coordination between all levels of the government was seamless. This campaign has shown me the incredible power of trust, education and collaboration between health workers, school teachers and government officials,” says Principal Gurung. “We are deeply grateful to the Ministry of Health and Population and WHO for bringing this life-saving initiative to Nepal. Together we are building a healthier future for our children."

After ensuring all 26 eligible adolescent girls at the school are vaccinated, the health workers and FCHVs head to another site to save more lives. Their day is long, but their determination never wavers. They often travel long distances, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to the cause.

Behind the scenes, the Ministry of Health and Population and WHO personnel collaborate with health workers to ensure the day’s planning goes smoothly. Their strategic planning ensures that the campaign reaches every eligible girl in the community, leaving no one behind. Now, they are headed towards a local health post as planned –  Mahanagarpalika Swasthya Prabardan Kendra – where a few girls who missed their vaccinations are waiting.

At Mahanagarpalika Swasthya Prabardan Kendra, the local health promotion centre, all logistics are in order for the vaccines to be administered. The FCHVs work alongside health workers to ensure everything is in order, creating a safe and welcoming environment for the girls.