Jakarta (ANTARA) – The government is seeking to expand the reach of the human papillomavirus (HPV) immunization program to reduce the prevalence and death rate of cervical cancer.
“Cancer has killed more than 200,000 people in Indonesia, mostly because they have not received adequate treatment and early detection is still low,” Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said on Wednesday, quoted in the ministry’s press release in Jakarta.
“Indonesia can eliminate this cancer virus by increasing HPV immunization coverage in every city so that we can reduce cancer mortality and costs,” he added.
Cervical cancer is a malignant tumor that attacks the cervix or cervix. This disease has various causes, including HPV infection.
Cervical cancer is the second highest cause of death and one of the biggest financial burdens on healthcare in Indonesia.
According to Globocan 2021 data, there are 36,633 cases of cervical cancer in Indonesia. The causes are varied, including heredity, an unhealthy environment and lifestyle, and viral infections.
The health minister said that this type of cancer with a high risk of death can be prevented, among other things, by administering immunisation.
The Ministry of Health has designated the HPV immunization as one of the 14 comprehensive basic vaccinations for children and issued the Decree of the Minister of Health number HK.01.07/MENKES/6779/2021 regarding the introduction of the immunization against HPV from 2022 to 2024.
HPV vaccination is mandatory for girls in grades 5 and 6 of elementary school during Primary School Child Immunization Month (BIAS) held each August.
Additionally, the government is trying to increase the availability of the HPV vaccine in the country to support the implementation of immunization to prevent cervical cancer.
In an effort to boost HPV vaccine development capacity in the country, the state-owned pharmaceutical holding has entered into a technology transfer cooperation with a US multinational pharmaceutical company, Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD).
“I believe that with the potential for technology transfer, both MSD’s expertise, knowledge and experience as the world’s leading HPV vaccine manufacturer will be beneficial to Bio Farma and the independence of the healthcare sector in Indonesia, particularly in the development of vaccines,” said the Minister of Health.
