Minister of Health and Population Pradeep Paudel has said that Nepal is committed to controlling cervical cancer and is in the process of implementing a nationwide vaccination program for this.
Addressing the Global Vaccination Cooperation Gabi meeting held in Bali, Indonesia, Minister Paudel informed that Nepal is going to conduct a two-week vaccination campaign for teenage girls in the coming month of February (January 22) to control cervical cancer.
Minister Paudel mentioned that Nepal will decide the vaccine target priority in collaboration with Gabi and informed that Nepal is planning to introduce vaccination program against Hepatitis B and Cholera through the National Vaccination Program.
‘We are discussing this’, Minister Paudel said, ‘Nepal will make a formal request for this soon.’
Minister Poudel said that in order to run the vaccination program in Nepal, only a small part of the total budget is allocated for health and the new federal system has to deal with problems such as lack of manpower.
Minister Poudel said that Nepal is the first country in the South West Asia region to introduce a vaccination law and said that 500,000 people benefit from the national vaccination program every year.
Minister Paudel said during his speech, “We are expecting your support in strengthening our health sector and increasing the capacity of assistance.”
The minister said that Nepal’s partnership with the global vaccination campaign is important so that no one is deprived of a complete vaccination campaign.
Global Vaccine Alliance Gavi has been supporting 65 percent of Nepal’s vaccination program.
Minister Paudel said that Nepal’s vaccination program is working equally in all genders, classes and geographical areas and gave an example of the country becoming polio-free in 2010 and succeeding in controlling rubella infection.
Nepal is conducting a vaccination campaign against 13 types of diseases that can be prevented by vaccination.