LAHORE: In observance of International Women’s Day, the Society for Public Health Education, Research, and Engagement (SPHERE) at the Department of Public Health, University of the Punjab, alongside UNICEF and the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department, convened a seminar to address cervical cancer awareness and HPV vaccination. The seminar was overseen by Dr. Noman, head of the Public Health Department, and gathered public health experts to discuss pressing issues related to cervical cancer.

According to University of the Punjab, Prof. Dr. Rubeena Zakar welcomed attendees and underlined the need for increased awareness about cervical cancer, which is the third most prevalent cancer among women in Pakistan. She called on public health students to engage actively in advocacy and educational initiatives.

Dr. Samra Khurram, Director of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) Punjab, announced the forthcoming inclusion of the HPV vaccine as the 13th vaccine in the immunization program. She underscored the necessity for a cancer registry and enhanced data collection systems to mitigate high mortality rates, noting that two-thirds of affected women do not survive the disease.

Khurram Mubeen Khan, UNICEF’s Immunization Officer, reiterated WHO’s 2030 targets, which aim for 90% HPV vaccination, 70% screening, and 90% treatment coverage. He highlighted the challenges of 1.1 million vaccine dropouts and 96,000 children who have received no vaccines. Khan emphasized the critical role of academia in dispelling misinformation and advocating for vaccination.

The seminar concluded with Dr. Tahira Mariam expressing gratitude to UNICEF Representative Mr. Aqeel and other collaborating partners for their contributions to the seminar’s success, followed by the distribution of souvenirs.