Cancer of the cervix is considered as a major public health problem for women across the world.It was estimated that, globally, 91% of HPV-related cancers in women in 2018 were cervical cancer. Cervical cancer was the fourth leading cause of cancer and cancer deaths in women in 2020, with an estimated 604 000 new cases and over 340 000 deaths. According to WHO, if additional action is not taken for prevention, the annual number of new cases is expected to be raised to 700,000, and deaths are projected to increase to 400,000 between 2018 and 2030.
A minimum of a single dose of vaccination can prevent this deadly disease. ideSHi took a step forward to prevent this disease and celebrated its foundation day by Cervical Cancer Awareness program, HPV infection prevention, and promoting HPV vaccination on 27th December 2022.
At this event, Dr. Firdausi Qadri, emeritus scientist and lead of ideSHi, and Dr. Sharmin Zahan, Chief Operating Officer, ideSHi taked about ideSHi’s current research and public health initiatives. Dr. Kasrina Azad, Medical Officer ideSHi showed the roadmap of ideSHi to work against cervical cancer, preventing HPV infection and promoting HPV vaccination in the coming days.
The event was well-attended by academicians, scientists, gynaecologist, gender experts, public health professionals, officials from DGHS and EPI of govt. of Bangladesh, Public and Private University students, Representatives from NGOs, leading pharmaceuticals, and digital media. Among them, Dr. MD Shamsul Haque, Ex-Director and Line Director of MNCAH, DGHS, Dr. S. M Abdullah Al Murad, Program Manager EPI, Professor Dr. Sabera Khatun, renowned gynecologist and former Chairman of Gynaecological Oncology Department of BSMMU, Sheepa Hafiza, Gender, Justice and Diversity expert, Dr. Mohammad Mushtuq Husain, Prof. NSU, and Advisor, IEDCR, Dr. Tajul Islam Bari, former Associate professor NIPSOM and Program Manager EPI, were a few to mention
All the participants expressed their commitment to work together to prevent cervical cancer in Bangladesh and to raise awareness on HPV infection and Vaccination in the community and within the healthcare workers.
