Preventing cervical cancer amongst women in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is planning to introduce HPV vaccine for school girls to prevent cervical cancer.
As per official data, every year 1660 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in Uzbekistan. Unfortunately, each year over 585 women die from cervical cancer in the country, although many of these cases could have been preventable.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that can cause almost 6 different types of cancers in the later years of life. Cancer development takes years, often decades, to show up after a person gets infected with HPV.
There is no way to know that out of those infected with HPV, who will develop cancer or other health problems. However, nowadays there is an opportunity to protect your children from developing these types of cancer, by simply a shot in the arm – by vaccinating your girl against HPV.
HPV vaccines have been introduced over the 20 years in dozens of countries of all income groups. The experience shows that HPV vaccination is very safe. World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan recommend two doses of the HPV vaccine for girls at the age of 9. HPV vaccine provides your girl with safe, effective, and long-lasting protection against some critical types of cancer later in life.
In October 2019, the Ministry of Health is planning to vaccinate all 9 years old girls of the country against HPV, in accordance with the National Calendar of Immunization.
In August 2019, Ministry of Health with support from UNICEF organized an orientation meeting for the core team of trainers that will train teachers and medical staff of schools in all regions of the country.
“All nine-year-old girls, including from the vulnerable groups, will have access to HPV vaccine starting this autumn in accordance with the principle of ‘leaving no girl behind”, says Dr. Sufang Guo, Chief of Health, UNICEF Uzbekistan.
“The vaccination campaign will be arranged in schools as well as in polyclinics. Mobile vaccination teams will be functioning in all regions and districts of Uzbekistan to reach those girls who cannot come to schools or polyclinics for some reasons,” says Dr. Dilorom Tursunova, Deputy Head of Department on Sanitary-Epidemiological Surveillance, Ministry of Health.
Trainings will be conducted for teachers and medical staff of schools to provide important information on HPV and the vaccine to parents and the community.
Do not miss this opportunity! Protect your children – get them vaccinated on time!
For more information www.privivki.uz
