Cervical cancer is the second most frequent cancer among all women in Nepal, and also sadly the leading cause of cancer deaths amongst women in Nepal.
Against this backdrop, to prevent this fatal disease, the Government of Nepal has made the commendable decision to introduce the HPV vaccine as a high priority in the Government’s policies and programmes.
As we know, the HPV vaccine is not only highly effective at preventing HPV infection and cervical cancer but is also very safe.
This initiative is part of our regional immunization goal of leaving no one behind, and with our WHO South-East Asia Regional Roadmap. Our Regional Roadmap calls for increased investment in the health of women and girls, and I congratulate Nepal for doing just that.
With this, Nepal is advancing towards the global target for 2030 of 90% of girls fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by the age of 15. It is also, of course, a vital step towards achieving the elimination of cervical cancer.
Nepal is also in-line with our Regional Implementation Framework for elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem: 2021–2030.
Along with primary prevention through HPV vaccination, this Framework also proposes
improving screening and pre-cancer treatment
improving access to early diagnosis
treatment of invasive cervical cancer
rehabilitation and palliative care
improving health system support, and strengthening education, advocacy and social mobilization
It is through these strategic actions that we can eliminate cervical cancer in our region.
I am delighted that Nepal is launching HPV vaccinations on World Cancer Day today, and I am pleased this has come about with the support of WHO, Gavi - the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF and other partners.
I am pleased and proud that WHO provided technical support, including to national expert committees on immunization, to the Ministry of Health through the National Immunization Program, and through development of training guidelines and tools.
I encourage all partners and stakeholders to continue to work together to reach our objectives, by focusing on the following key areas:
First, to ensure that all girls eligible receive the vaccines, whether in school or out-of-school
Second, to integrate the communication on HPV vaccination into the broader services and communications on cervical cancer elimination
Third, to continue to support the Ministry of Health to successfully the introduce HPV vaccines in the routine services of national Immunization Programme and achieve high equitable coverages.
I would like to congratulate the Government of Nepal for this excellent initiative. You actions will improve the health and the lives of women and girls throughout your beautiful country, for many years to come.
As the WHO, we are extremely pleased and proud to be a part of this journey, and we wish you a very successful HPV vaccine launch.