Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Minister Khaleeq ur Rehman has directed health authorities to launch extensive awareness activities on cervical cancer, describing the disease as a serious threat to the lives of girls and women, as the province prepares for its November vaccination campaign.
He gave the directive while chairing a meeting of the provincial steering committee on the prevention of cervical cancer. Representatives of government departments and international support organizations attended. The committee reviewed in detail the preparations for the November campaign, which aims to protect girls through vaccination.
The minister stressed that preventive measures are crucial for public health, especially for diseases such as cancer in any form. He said early protection is far more effective, and far less costly in human and financial terms, than treating advanced disease.
Khaleeq ur Rehman called social media a powerful tool, both for spreading awareness and for gathering feedback from the public. He asked the committee to make full use of digital platforms to answer parents’ questions, and measure public response during the campaign.
He also emphasized awareness sessions at girls’ colleges, saying the new generation should take the lead in spreading the message in their families and communities.