Good news for women in Pakistan — starting September, the HPV vaccine will be available to help prevent cervical cancer, especially in girls aged 9 to 11.
According to the Gates Foundation, this vaccine offers lifetime protection with just one dose. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women aged 15 to 44 in Pakistan.
Dr. Anita Zaidi from the Gates Foundation said that since cancer screening is limited in Pakistan, prevention is the best option.
This step is part of the Foundation’s larger global effort to invest $2.5 billion by 2030 to improve women’s health, especially in poor and developing countries.
The Foundation is also working with Pakistani institutions like Aga Khan University and LUMS to develop local health solutions, including using AI tools.
Dr. Zaidi added that without improving the health of mothers, we cannot improve the health of children.
In Pakistan, 1 in every 25 newborns dies in the first month — mostly due to poor maternal health.
She emphasized that Pakistan cannot progress unless women’s health and development are made a top priority.
