Immunisation programme: Government urged to include vaccine for cervical cancer

Health experts said that as many as 20 women die of cervical cancer every day in Pakistan


Our Correspondent February 13, 2016
Health experts said that as many as 20 women die of cervical cancer every day in Pakistan. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD:


Health experts have urged the government to include the vaccine for cervical cancer in the immunisation programme to save precious lives.


At a briefing about cervical cancer, arranged by United against Cervical Cancer (UACC), health experts said that as many as 20 women die of cervical cancer every day in Pakistan. They stressed that the government must take immediate measures to ensure availability of vaccine for cervical cancer through national immunisation programme.

Quaid-i-Azam International Hospital Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr Salma Kafeel Qureshi said that cervical cancer was caused by a virus called Human Papillomavirus which is easily transmissible. She said that fortunately vaccine was available to prevent cervical cancer but lack of awareness was causing loss of lives.

“We must take serious note of this severity as we cannot tolerate any social barriers that prevail and discourage public awareness anymore,” she said. Qureshi suggested that the government, policymakers and parents must pay attention to ensure that women were screened and vaccinated against this deadly but preventable disease.

She said that a WHO study showed the incidence of cervical cancer in Pakistan was less than nine per cent among 100,000 women back in 2002 which moved to 13.6 per cent of 100,000 in 2008.

She said that it was best for girls to get vaccinated before marriage, however, all females above nine years of age can benefit from vaccine against cervical cancer. “Getting the vaccine as early as possible will protect them in future,” she stressed.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14th, 2016.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ