The Number Of Cervical Cancer In Indonesia Is 36,633 Cases, Minister Of Health Will Improve HVS Immunization Coverage

Minister of Health (Menkes) Budi Gunadi Sadikin. (Dok Setkab)

JAKARTA - Thousands of people died from cervical cancer. Continuing the prevalence death rate, the government is trying to expand the scope of the human papillomavirus (HPV) immunization program.

"The office has killed more than 200,000 people in Indonesia, the majority because it has not received adequate treatment and early detection is still low," said Health Minister (Menkes) Budi Gunadi Sadikin in a written statement, Wednesday, December 14.

"Indonesia can eliminate this cancer virus, the way to do this is by increasing the coverage of HPV immunization in every city so that it can reduce the death rate and financing due to cancer," he continued, confiscated by Antara.

cervical cancer is a ferocity that attacks the cervical area or the cervix neck. These diseases have various causes, including HPV infections.

cervical cancer is the second highest cause of death cancer and one of the biggest health financing burdens in Indonesia.

According to Globocan 2021 data, there are 36,633 cases of cervical cancer in Indonesia. The causes vary, including hereditary factors, environment and unhealthy lifestyles, and viral infections.

The Minister of Health said that this type of cancer with a high risk of death could be prevented, among other things, by immunizing.

The Ministry of Health has designated HPV immunization as one of 14 complete basic immunizations for children and issued Decree of the Minister of Health Number HK.01.07/MENKES/6779/2021 regarding the HPV immunization introduction program from 2022 to 2024.

HPV vaccination has been mandatory for girls in grades 5 and 6 elementary schools in the School Children Immunization Month (BIAS) activity which is held every August.

In addition, 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 increase the development capacity of the domestic HPV vaccine, the parent pharmaceutical-owned enterprise is collaborating on technology transfers with a multinational pharmaceutical company from the United States, Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD).

"I believe that with the potential for technology transfer, both expertise, knowledge, and experience from MSD as a leading global producer for the HPV vaccine, it will be beneficial for Bio Farma and for the independence of the Health Sector in Indonesia, especially in vaccine development," said the Minister of Health.