Indonesia launches national plan for cancer prevention and control
I
ndonesia officially launched the “ National Cancer
Prevention and Control Plan 2024-2034 ” at the opening of the Indonesia International Cancer Conference ( IICC ) 2024 in Bali on Thursday ( Oct 3 ).
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin affirmed that the plan was a new milestone in the fight against the deadly disease in Indonesia . He highlighted six main strategies formulated to strengthen efforts to prevent , detect , treat , and manage cancer .
To support cancer treatment , the government is committed to adding facilities and health equipment in hospitals across Indonesia . By 2027 , additional diagnostic equipment , such as 276 mammograms , 236 CT scans , 34 SPECT-CTs , and eight PET-CTs , will be deployed .
Additionally , the government would increase the capabilities of hospitals in 514 districts and cities and 38 provinces to provide complete cancer services , including palliative care .
Nepal receives 460,940 doses of HPV vaccine
Nepal received 460,940 doses of the human papillomavirus ( HPV ) vaccine in December , which will be used in the nationwide vaccination drive , scheduled to start on February 5 , 2025 .
The vaccine doses are part of over 1.7 million doses required for the first phase of the campaign , health officials say .
Human papillomavirus is a viral infection that spreads through skin contact and is a major cause of cervical cancer . Cervical cancer is the second-most common cancer in the developing world and a major cause of death among Nepali women . It is estimated that hundreds of women get diagnosed with cervical cancer in Nepal every year .
According to the BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital in Bharatpur , more than 700 women suffering from cervical cancer seek treatment at the hospital every year .
Countries like Bhutan , Sri Lanka , Thailand and the Maldives have introduced HPV vaccines nationally , while India and Indonesia have introduced them in some districts .
The Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunisation ( GAVI ) has committed to supply the vaccine doses required for the campaign free of cost along with the campaign ’ s operation cost
Source : Asia Heart News
GlobalHealthAsiaPacific . com ISSUE 6 | 2024
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