Community Bank Bangladesh PLC has extended financial support under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program to icddr,b to conduct an HPV vaccination and awareness initiative aimed at preventing cervical cancer among female police personnel.

The project, titled 'HPV Vaccination, Awareness Creation, and Barrier Mitigation for Cervical Cancer Prevention among Female Police Personnel,' aims to address one of the primary health risks facing women in Bangladesh.

Under the initiative, 188 female members aged 18 to 45 from the Armed Police Battalion (APBn) will receive the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. The program fills a vital gap by extending vaccination to adult working women beyond ongoing adolescent immunization drives.

Led by icddr,b Assistant Scientist Dr. Rizwana Khan, the project will be implemented in seven phases-comprising ethical approval, a baseline survey, awareness sessions, vaccination, monitoring, evaluation and final reporting-while also promoting menstrual hygiene and general health awareness.

A symbolic check was handed over at an event hosted at icddr,b in the capital.

Md. Ali Hossain Fakir, Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Chairman of Community Bank, the bank's Managing Director Mohammad Imtiaz Uddin and icddr,b Executive Director Dr. Tahmeed Ahmed were present alongside senior officials from both organizations.

Highlighting the significance of the drive, IGP Ali Hossain Fakir said the health and safety of female police personnel remain a priority, noting that workplace-based vaccination sets an effective precedent.