RANGPUR, Oct  24,  2024 (BSS) - The government with the support of UNICEF, Gavi, and the World Health Organization (WHO) launched a groundbreaking Human Papillomavirus(HPV) vaccination campaign today in Rangpur division.  
 
This campaign was launched to protect millions of adolescent girls from cervical cancer, a leading cause of death among women in the country.  
 
Acting Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Md. Azmal Hossain inaugurated the campaign for all eight districts across Rangpur division in a function held at Samajkallyan Bidyabithi Girls High School in Rangpur city as the chief guest.
 
Over the next one month, around 900,000 girls, aged 10 to 14, both in and out of school, will receive the HPV vaccine free of charge in the division.  
 
Addressing the function, the chief guest said the Government of Bangladesh is committed to ensuring healthcare for all through coordinated efforts of all concerned.  
 
“We are determined to make this HPV vaccination campaign a success. Our past achievements in reducing maternal and child mortality through vaccination programs give us confidence that we will succeed in this effort,” he said.
 
AH Towfique Ahmed, Chief of UNICEF's Rangpur Field Office, praised the Divisional Health Office for its leadership in mobilizing networks to ensure the campaign’s success across Rangpur division.  He said,
 
“We are proud to support the Government of Bangladesh in introducing the HPV vaccine. This vaccine is a vital tool in protecting the future of adolescent girls across Bangladesh.”  
 
Towfique Ahmed highlighted the importance of leveraging multisectoral partnerships and digital platforms to boost HPV vaccine registration awareness.
 
“We are working with local media, social media and various community networks, including Health and Family Planning district and upazila workforce, to reach younger audiences and hard-to-reach populations. Our efforts are ensuring broad awareness and vaccine uptake across Rangpur division,” he said.
 
Dr. Mohammad Shahriar Sajjad, Deputy Director of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) said cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Bangladesh and is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths.  
 
“This vaccine is safe, highly effective, and crucial in preventing cervical cancer,” he added.
 
Rangpur Regional Deputy Director of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Md. Shafiqul Islam urged school authorities to take proactive measures to ensure girls are vaccinated after registration.
 
Dr. Md. Harun-Or-Rashid, Rangpur Divisional Director of Health, who chaired the event, said, “We are working with all networks and partnerships to meet our vaccination targets by bringing all eligible adolescents under the HPV vaccination program.”