KARACHI—Cervical cancer, an entirely preventable disease, is claiming the lives of eight women every day in Pakistan. A health expert speaking at the University of Karachi on Wednesday warned that the burden of this disease is expected to triple over the next 70 years if immediate, effective measures aren’t taken.
Dr. Muneeba Ahsan Sayeed of Dow University of Health Sciences highlighted the global and national severity of the issue:
- Global Context: Worldwide, one woman dies every two minutes from this preventable cancer, with an alarming 90% of these deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection causes 95% of the 660,000 cases reported annually.
- National Statistics: In 2023, Pakistan reported between 4,700 and 4,800 new cases of cervical cancer and nearly 3,000 related deaths. This translates to a mortality rate of 64%.
HPV and Vaccination Challenges
Cervical cancer typically takes 15 to 20 years to develop from an HPV infection. Experts noted that HPV is a common virus, with an estimated 50% to 80% of women contracting it at some point, and nearly half of those are infected with high-risk, cancer-causing strains.
Dr. Sayeed pointed out critical challenges facing Pakistan’s health system:
- Low Reporting: A WHO study found only 1,580 cases reported across 18 healthcare centers between 2021 and 2023. This severe underreporting is due to limited screening and the absence of a national cancer registry.
- Vaccination Status: Pakistan has become the second-largest country in South Asia (after India) with the highest number of children—419,000—who have not received any routine vaccinations.
- Late Adoption: Pakistan officially launched its first national campaign for the HPV vaccine on September 15, 2025, making it the second-to-last country in South Asia to include the vaccine in its routine immunisation program.
Positive Response to Vaccination
Despite the challenges, local officials confirmed a positive start to the vaccination drive. Dr. Zahid Solangi, District Health Officer, Karachi East, noted a positive response in rural areas, confirming that a significant number of families have ensured their daughters received the vaccine. The vaccine will remain available until December and will then be administered under the Expanded Program on Immunisation (EPI).
Other speakers, including Dr. Kiran Iqbal Masood from Aga Khan University, emphasized the importance of the vaccine, explaining that the virus can spread through means other than sexual contact. The free HPV vaccine initiative was highly praised, with an encouragement for young people, especially girls, to take full advantage of the campaign.
