Health dept to introduce cervical cancer vaccine

Punjab Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Khawaja Imran Nazir outlined the vaccination programme's focus on protecting children against 12 fatal diseases, including polio, measles and pneumonia, with plans to introduce the HPV vaccine to combat cervical cancer among women.

The minister expressed these views on the commencement of World Immunisation Week with a walk at the Directorate General Health Services Punjab on Tuesday.

The week-long event, observed globally from April 24 to 30, aims to raise awareness about vaccination and its crucial role in public health.

Accompanied by Director General Health Services Punjab Dr Ilyas Gondal, Director Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) Punjab Dr Mukhtar Ahmed and representatives from WHO, UNICEF, BMGF, and professional bodies, Minister Kh Imran Nazir emphasised the significance of vaccines in preventing life-threatening diseases.

In his address, Minister Nazir highlighted the theme of this year's World Immunization Week: "Humanly Possible: Saving lives through immunisation," commemorating the 50th anniversary of the EPI.

He underscored the programme's global efforts to ensure equitable access to vaccines for every child, regardless of their background.

He emphasised the government's commitment to improving healthcare services, citing initiatives like the Chief Minister's Clinic on Wheels and the establishment of dedicated Surveillance Units in Teaching Hospitals.

Furthermore, Minister Nazir announced plans to introduce the "Punjab Vaccination and Epidemic Control Act 2023" in the Punjab Assembly for approval, aiming to streamline the EPI program's functioning and enhance outbreak response mechanisms.

He said Punjab is leveraging digital platforms and conducting outreach activities to ensure vaccination coverage, with ongoing efforts to address urban immunisation challenges and service delivery gaps.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 24^th, 2024.