/countries/nepal/dsc_6339.jpg?sfvrsn=95ef120e_1)
A high-level meeting on HPV vaccination campaign held at the premises of the National Health Training Centre, Department of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Population, Nepal. Photo credit: WHO Nepal/S.G.Amatya
The Family Welfare Division (FWD), Department of Health Services (DoHS), today held a high-level meeting in Kathmandu with WHO support for the upcoming HPV vaccination campaign.
Dr Bikash Devkota, Director General, DoHS, chaired the meeting under the chief guardianship of the Honorable Minister of Health and Population, Mr Pradip Paudel. Also in attendance were the secretary, additional secretaries and senior officials of the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), senior officials from DoHS, and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology; secretaries of provincial Ministries of Health/Social Development; directors of Provincial Health Directorates and Provincial Health Logistics Management Centers; along with representatives from WHO, UNICEF, WaterAid and other partner agencies.
/countries/nepal/untitled-design52cf6866-fe7e-4cec-9928-4625cbe98473.png?sfvrsn=d7ffb9ea_1)
Dr Abhiyan Gautam (left), Chief of Child Health and Immunization Service Section, Family Welfare Division (FWD) and Dr Bibek Kumar Lal (right), Director of FWD, providing their remarks at the event. Photo credit: WHO Nepal/S.G.Amatya
The Director of FWD, Dr Bibek Kumar Lal, opened the meeting with a welcome speech summarizing key meeting objectives. Dr Abhiyan Gautam, Chief of Child Health and Immunization Service Section, FWD, presented updates on the campaign's ongoing preparations and its implementation strategy. Dr Gautam also highlighted the full immunization declaration and sustainability initiative of the National Immunization Program (NIP).
/countries/nepal/dsc_6457-1.jpg?sfvrsn=8fd964bd_1)
Honorable Minister of Health and Population Mr Pradip Paudel providing his remarks at the event. Photo credit: WHO Nepal/S.G.Amatya
In his remarks, Honorable Health Minister Paudel thanked all the participants for their support towards the campaign and highlighted the importance of conducting extensive awareness campaigns to ensure the success of the campaign. "Effective communication and awareness efforts are crucial to ensure all eligible adolescent girls receive the HPV vaccine during the campaign. Together, we can make cervical cancer elimination in Nepal a reality through vaccination, along with screening and treatment programs," he said.
/countries/nepal/dsc_6217.jpg?sfvrsn=2dc2a3c_1)
Senior officials from the Ministry of Health and Population, including the Honorable Minister of Health and Population Mr Pradip Paudel (right) present at the event. Photo credit: WHO Nepal/S.G.Amatya
Dr Roshan Pokharel, Secretary of the MoHP, and the Additional Secretaries, Dr Dipendra Raman Singh and Dr Tanka Prasad Barakoti, provided overall guidance for the success of the HPV vaccination campaign, highlighting the importance of effective coordination at all levels and between ministries. Dr Bikash Devkota, DG, DoHS, mentioned that the campaign marks a historic moment for Nepal as HPV vaccine introduction is a national priority.
Nepal is set to launch the HPV vaccination campaign on 4 February 2025 on World Cancer Day. Supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, WHO and UNICEF the campaign aims to immunize over 1.6 million adolescent schoolgirls (grade 6 to 10) and out-of-school girls (10 to 14 years of age) nationwide. With this, the Government of Nepal will introduce HPV vaccination in the National Immunization Program.
/countries/nepal/dsc_6308.jpg?sfvrsn=e9f7c151_1)
Dr Balwinder Singh, Team Lead for the Program for Immunization Preventable Diseases, WHO, providing his remarks at the event. Photo credit: WHO Nepal/S.G.Amatya
"The upcoming nationwide HPV vaccination campaign and its subsequent integration into the routine immunization program is a testament to Nepal's dedication to public health and its commitment to the Global Strategy for Cervical Cancer Elimination. Achieving cervical cancer elimination requires a collective effort and WHO remains committed to supporting Nepal's HPV vaccine introduction and integration into the National Immunization Program," said Dr Balwinder Singh, Team Lead for the Program for Immunization Preventable Diseases, on behalf of the WHO Representative to Nepal.
/countries/nepal/untitled-design-2.png?sfvrsn=86ed4019_1)
Officials from the Department of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Population, and provincial officials present at the event. Photo credit: WHO Nepal/S.G.Amatya
As part of its support, WHO provided technical assistance to the National Immunization Advisory Committee (NIAC) for making evidence-based recommendations for HPV vaccine introduction in Nepal and preparing an implementation plan. WHO continues to provide technical support at national and sub-national levels, through its network of Surveillance and Immunization Medical Officers and Immunization Field Officers, for HPV campaign preparedness and implementation.
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer and the number one cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Nepal. An estimated four women die of cervical cancer each day in Nepal. The introduction of the HPV vaccine will mark a major milestone in the country's efforts to achieve 2030 targets towards the elimination of cervical cancer as per the global strategy.