The Family Welfare Division (FWD), under the Department of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), and WHO Country Office for Nepal convened an advocacy meeting on 24 January with Nepal Medical Association (NMA), Nepal Pediatric Society (NEPAS) and other stakeholders to discuss the introduction of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination into Nepal's routine immunization program.
The MoHP is set to launch the HPV vaccination campaign on 4 February 2025 (World Cancer Day). Supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, WHO and UNICEF, the nationwide campaign aims to immunize over 1.6 million adolescent schoolgirls (grades 6 to 10) and out-of-school girls (10 to 14 years of age) to protect them against cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer and the number one cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Nepal.
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Dr Bibek Lal, Director of Family Welfare Division, Ministry of Health and Population, providing his remarks at the advocacy meeting for the integration of HPV vaccination in the national routine immunization program in Nepal. Photo credit: WHO Nepal/A.Maharjan
The meeting, chaired by Dr Bibek Lal, Director, FWD, was attended by around 150 participants, including presidents of NMA and NEPAS, government officials, the chair of National AEFI Investigation Committee, consultant pediatricians, medical doctors and partners.
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Dr Abhiyan Gautam, Chief of Child Health and Immunization Service Section, Family Welfare Division, Ministry of Health and Population, explaining about ongoing preparations and implementation strategy for the campaign at the workshop. Photo credit: WHO Nepal/A.Maharjan
Dr Abhiyan Gautam, Chief of the Child Health and Immunization Service Section, FWD, opened the meeting with the key objectives of the meeting and provided updates on ongoing preparations and implementation strategy. WHO provided technical support to orient the participants on the process of new vaccine introductions, vaccine safety and recent advances on HPV vaccination.
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Participants discussing strategies to address challenges and enhance coverage to ensure the campaign's success at the programme. Photo credit: WHO Nepal/A.Maharjan
An interaction session provided an open platform for participants to discuss strategies to address challenges and enhance coverage to ensure the campaign's success. WHO technical officers also responded to queries on HPV vaccination schedule, vaccine efficacy and safety.
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Dr Anil Karki, President of Nepal Medical Association, providing his remarks at the programme. Photo credit: WHO Nepal/A.Maharjan
Dr Anil Karki, President of Nepal Medical Association, highlighted that cervical cancer is increasing in Nepal and is a major public health problem. The introduction of the HPV vaccine is a major milestone towards cervical cancer elimination and committed the support of NMA towards the successful completion of the campaign.
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Dr Arun Neopane, President of Nepal Pediatric Society, providing his remarks at the programme. Photo credit: WHO Nepal/A.Maharjan
Dr Arun Neopane, President of Nepal Pediatric Society, committed support to the HPV vaccination campaign through its network of more than 700 pediatricians throughout Nepal.
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Dr Balwinder Singh, Team Lead for Immunization Preventable Diseases (IPD) team at WHO Country Office for Nepal, providing his remarks at the programme. Photo credit: WHO Nepal/A.Maharjan
Dr Balwinder Singh, Team Lead for Immunization Preventable Diseases (IPD) team at WHO Country Office for Nepal highlighted the role and importance of pediatricians and medical doctors in responding to the queries of the general population and tackling rumors through social media platforms to raise awareness to ensure all eligible adolescent girls receive the HPV vaccine during the campaign.
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Dr Abhiyan Gautam, Chief of Child Health and Immunization Service Section, Family Welfare Division, Ministry of Health and Population (left); Dr Pawan Upadhyaya, New Vaccines and Immunization Program Officer at WHO Country Office for Nepal; and Dr Rahul Pradhan, National Professional Officer, Immunization and Surveillance, at WHO Country Office for Nepal responding to the queries presented by the participants. Photo credit: WHO Nepal/A.Maharjan
The introduction of the vaccine will mark a major milestone in Nepal’s efforts to achieve 2030 targets towards the elimination of cervical cancer as per the global strategy.