Karachi: The Health Department, Government of Sindh, convened a landmark meeting of the Provincial Steering Committee (PSC) today in Karachi to finalize the rollout of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine campaign—marking a major milestone in the province’s efforts to eliminate cervical cancer.
The high-level meeting, chaired by Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, Minister for Health, brought together stakeholders from the Departments of Education and RMCH, PPHI, civil society organizations, WHO, UNICEF, Acasus, and others. The session reflected strong political will, inter-sectoral commitment, and technical readiness as Sindh leads the way in Pakistan’s first-phase HPV vaccine introduction.
"The HPV vaccine is not just a scientific breakthrough—it is a moral obligation," said Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho. "By ensuring that our girls receive this vaccine, we are taking a powerful step toward preventing future suffering, especially among underserved communities."
Dr. Pechuho reaffirmed Sindh’s alignment with the WHO’s global cervical cancer elimination strategy, which sets the 90-70-90 targets:
- 90% of girls vaccinated against HPV by age 15
- 70% of women screened by ages 35 and 45
- 90% of women diagnosed with cervical disease receiving appropriate treatment
Mr. Rehan Iqbal Baloch, Secretary Health Sindh, outlined the province’s preparedness, emphasizing a multi-pronged approach targeting in-school and out-of-school girls aged 9–14 years. The campaign will be delivered through fixed sites, school-based outreach, and mobile vaccination teams, with strong coordination with the Federal Directorate of Immunization (FDI) to align with national strategies.
Dr. Raj Kumar, Director EPI Sindh, noted that over 2 million girls will be targeted in the introductory phase, requiring 2,898 additional female vaccinators. He highlighted key technical aspects, including zero-dose mapping, school-wise target setting, and district-level microplans.
Mr. Irshad Sodhar, EOC Coordinator for Polio, assured full support from the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI), including mobilizing its infrastructure, staff, and community networks for microplanning, outreach, and campaign monitoring. PEI will also facilitate access to school enrollment data and assist in community sensitization efforts.
Key topics discussed during the meeting included:
Finalization and rollout of IEC materials for schools, communities, and health workers
Activation of AEFI (Adverse Events Following Immunization) mechanisms
Engagement of local government officials, religious leaders, and civil society organizations
Clear delineation of roles between provincial and district health teams
The committee emphasized the need for culturally sensitive messaging, community ownership, and parental consent, particularly in areas with potential vaccine hesitancy.
This initiative is part of a broader national commitment to HPV vaccine introduction, which also includes Punjab, AJK, and Islamabad Capital Territory in its first phase. The campaign will use a single dose of the WHO-recommended bivalent Cecolin vaccine.
Participants included senior government and EPI officials such as Dr. Sohail Raza Shaikh, Dr. Khalilullah Memon, Dr. Ahsan Bhurgri, Dr. Tariq Masood, Dr. Zaid Bin Arif, Dr. Waqar Soomro, Dr. Arslan Memon, Dr. Saira Zaidi, Tahir Bano, Fahad Fehmi, Dr. D.S. Akram, among others.
The Health Department extended its gratitude to all attendees for their insights and commitment. With provincial momentum now in full swing, Sindh is poised to make history in the fight against cervical cancer.
