Bhaktapur to vaccinate 17,691 girls against cervical cancer
The vaccination campaign aims to cover 16,628 schoolgirls from grades 6 to 10 and 1,063 girls aged 10 to 14 years who are out of school.
KATHMANDU: Bhaktapur District Health Office is set to vaccinate 17,691 adolescent girls against cervical cancer as part of the national campaign to administer the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
The campaign will run from Feb 4 to 18.
According to Shantiram Khatriwada, Chief of Bhaktapur District Health Office, girls aged 10 to 14 years will be identified and vaccinated across Bhaktapur’s municipalities.
Among the target group, 4,162 girls are from Suryabinayak Municipality, 6,742 from Bhaktapur Municipality, 4,203 from Madhyapur Thimi Municipality, and 2,584 from Changunarayan Municipality.
The vaccination campaign aims to cover 16,628 schoolgirls from grades 6 to 10 and 1,063 girls aged 10 to 14 years who are out of school.
Vaccination Centers and Workforce
A total of 243 schools and 46 additional sites have been designated as vaccination centers. Suryabinayak will have 65 school-based centers and 11 other locations; Bhaktapur will have 74 schools and 6 other sites; Madhyapur Thimi will have 56 schools and 10 other locations; and Changunarayan will have 48 schools and 19 additional sites.
To ensure the campaign’s success, 289 health workers and 570 volunteers have been mobilized. Local volunteers have already undergone training, and the program is being conducted in coordination with all four local governments in the district.
Health Safety and Medical Support
The vaccine is considered safe, with no significant health risks anticipated. However, in case of adverse reactions, medical support will be provided at Bhaktapur Hospital, Khwopa Hospital, Suryabinayak Municipal Hospital, Changunarayan Municipal Hospital, and Nepal Korea Friendship Municipal Hospital.
Nationwide Campaign
The HPV vaccination campaign targets 1,688,900 girls aged 10 to 14 years across Nepal, coinciding with World Cancer Day on Feb 4. The vaccine is estimated to provide 90–95% protection against cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer is the most common cancer among women in Nepal, followed by breast cancer.
Local Coordination
To ensure a smooth and effective campaign in Bhaktapur, the District Coordination Committee Chairperson Ishwar Bahadur Thapa and Chief District Officer Gopal Prasad Aryal have called on all stakeholders to contribute to its success.
The initiative highlights the government’s commitment to protecting adolescent girls from cervical cancer and raising awareness about the importance of early prevention.
