Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD,:Federal Minister for National Health Services Syed Mustafa Kamal on Monday formally launched Pakistan’s first nationwide cervical cancer vaccination campaign at a Girls’ School in Islamabad.The program, developed with the support of Gavi and global health partners, aims to protect young girls from a preventable but deadly disease. The first phase of the campaign will run from September 15 to 27 across Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad, and Azad Kashmir.The inaugural ceremony was held at Islamabad Model School for Girls, F-7/4 where the campaign was symbolically launched by vaccinating schoolgirls. Dr. Rashida Batool Syed, Islamabad’s District Health Officer, administered the vaccine to her own daughter Zainab to mark the official beginning. Other students also received their doses, signaling the government’s strong commitment to safeguarding the health of young girls.Minister Kamal said the campaign aims to vaccinate nearly 13 million girls aged between 9 and 14 years. He explained that vaccination teams will reach schools, neighborhoods, and even homes to ensure every eligible girl is protected. For households that cannot access centers, parents can call the national helpline 1166 to request vaccination teams.
