Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Minister Khaliq-ur-Rehman held a meeting with a delegation from Jhpiego to discuss parliamentary engagement and preparations for the province’s upcoming HPV vaccination programme aimed at preventing cervical cancer.
The meeting focused on involving Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs) ahead of the November 2026 HPV vaccination campaign in KP. The health minister proposed a dedicated orientation session at the Provincial Assembly to provide parliamentarians with evidence-based information about cervical cancer prevention, HPV vaccination and their role in raising public awareness.
Jhpiego Pakistan Country Director Dr. Aminah Khan said that parliamentarians could play an important role in building public confidence, addressing misconceptions and encouraging community participation in the vaccination programme. The organisation also discussed providing technical support to the provincial government for implementation, coordination and community engagement.
According to the KP Health Department, the province plans to vaccinate approximately 2.9 million girls aged 9–14 years during the November 2–14, 2026 campaign. School-going girls will be reached through schools, while community outreach and health facilities will be used to vaccinate girls who are out of school.
The initiative is part of wider efforts to prevent cervical cancer, which is largely preventable through HPV vaccination, screening and early treatment. Health authorities have stressed that awareness and community engagement will be essential for the successful rollout of the campaign in KP
