The government started a free Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign across the country to prevent cervical cancer in women on Wednesday. Minister for Health and Population Mohan Bahadur Basnet initiated the campaign in an official programme at Thapathali-based Paropakar Maternity and Women's Hospital (PMWH). Minister Basnet inaugurated the campaign by handing over a vaccine carrier to PMWH Director Dr. Shree Prasad Adhikari. A 14-year-old girl of Dhumbarahi, Kathmandu, was then administered the first HPV vaccination of the nation-wide campaign during the programme. According to the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), HPV vaccines will be provided from seven hospitals in seven provinces. With the PMWH for Bagmati Province, Biratnagar's Koshi Hospital in Koshi, Birgunj's Narayani Hospital in Madhes, Pokhara-based Gandaki Academy of Health Sciences in Gandaki, Nepalgunj-based Bheri Hospital in Lumbini, Birendranagar-based Provincial Hospital in Karnali and Amargadhi-based Dadeldhura Hospital in Sudurpashchim are providing the vaccines.
