KP religious leaders join hands to support Cervical Cancer prevention campaign

PESHAWAR, Jul 23 (APP):The Health Department Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in collaboration with UNICEF organized a consultation workshop with the Mutahida Ulema Board (MUB) KP and Tanzeemat-ul-Madaris KP to promote awareness and prevention of cervical cancer.

The workshop brought together leading religious scholars from across the province, including Qari Ihsan, President of Mutahida Ulema Board KP Mufti Hussain Ahmad, Nazim Wifaq-ul-Madaris KP and Merged Districts, Mufti Mukhtar Ullah, Maulana Yousaf Shah, and Mufti Zafar Sahib, among others.

The Mutahida Ulema Board represents all major schools of thought, including Deobandi, Barelvi, Ahl-e-Hadith, and Shia.

The main purpose of the workshop was to build trust, strengthen coordination, and promote joint efforts between religious leaders and health experts to protect women and girls from cervical cancer.

The event was attended by Mr. Shafi Ullah Khan, EOC Coordinator Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Director EPI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Dr Muhammad Sohail Farooqi, Dr Inam Ullah Khan Unicef Team Lead KP, senior officials from the Health Department and EPI, along with representatives from UNICEF, WHO, Pakistan Pediatric Association (PPA), and the Gates Foundation.

They highlighted the importance of cervical cancer prevention, HPV vaccination and the role of trusted community voices in creating awareness and addressing public concerns.

During the discussion the Ulema appreciated the initiative and shared valuable recommendations to support the campaign. These included providing clear information about the vaccine’s ingredients, safety, and country of manufacture, launching a strong public awareness campaign through social media, television, radio, Friday sermons, billboards, hospitals, and community platforms, issuing a joint Fatwa with the support of religious scholars and medical experts, arranging regular dialogue between cancer specialists and Ulema, involving all schools of thought, ensuring privacy for girls during vaccination and screening, and leading the awareness campaign through the Health Department.

The workshop concluded with a shared commitment from religious leaders, health experts, and development partners to work together for the success of cervical cancer prevention efforts and to protect the health of future generations.