Karachi: Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho has stressed the importance of administering the HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccine, calling it vital for safeguarding women’s health.
Speaking at a ceremony in Karachi, Dr. Pechuho said she had personally witnessed numerous cases where women lost their lives to cervical cancer. She explained that one of the biggest challenges was that the disease is often diagnosed at a very late stage, since its early symptoms are subtle and go unnoticed. By the time it reaches the advanced stage, she said, cervical cancer becomes both extremely painful and life-threatening.
Highlighting the cause, she stated that cervical cancer is triggered by a virus, making it the only cancer that can be both identified early and prevented through vaccination. “Our mothers and sisters will lead this nation forward. Women hold immense strength within them,” she emphasized.
Dr. Pechuho also thanked Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Shah and activist Shehzad Roy for supporting the launch of the HPV vaccination campaign in schools.
Meanwhile, Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Shah, while addressing the campaign, noted that some schools were initially unwilling to cooperate. He said he immediately issued instructions to ensure that all schools fully support the vaccination drive. “Wherever my support is needed in this campaign, I will stand ready. This vaccine is critically important for our young girls,” he said.
