Cervical Cancer: NPHCDA, Kwara Kicks-off HPV Vaccine For Girls
By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
The National Primary Health Care Development Agency, (NPHCDA) in partnership with the Kwara Government on Monday flagged off the introduction of free Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine against cervical cancer among school children in the state.
In his address, Dr. Muyi Aina, the Chief Executive officer of the NPHCDA,
said that cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally and the second most common cancer affecting women in Nigeria.
Aina said that the HPV vaccine is a very important vaccine, which prevents the HPV.
According to him, it the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract and causes more than 95 per cent of cases of cervical cancer.
He said that all eligible girls between the ages of nine to 14 years across 193 wards in the 16 local government areas of Kwara will be vaccinated against cervical cancer during the five days programme.
“At least 80 eligible girls aged nine to 14 years will be reached during the five days intensification, after which the HPV vaccines will be accessed by our girls through routine immunization services in our PHC facilities.
“Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally and the second most common cancer affecting women in Nigeria.
“It is estimated that 604,000 cases with 342,000 deaths occurred globally in 2020, and an estimated 12,075 cases and 7,968 deaths were recorded in Nigeria,” he said.
The NPHCDA boss, stated that the HPV vaccine is free, safe, and effective, while urging all stakeholders to mobilize family members, friends, and communities to ensure that all eligible girls get vaccinated.
In her remarks, Prof. Olufolake AbdulRazaq, the wife of the Kwara Governor, assured of efficacy of the vaccine, while she charged stakeholders to dispel negative rumours and misconception against the HPV vaccines.
She observed that a total of 787 school children were already vaccinated at the event.
“Today’s event set the tone for an ambitious, inclusive strategy to accelerate eliminating cervical cancer as a public health concern.
“Elimination is within the reach of all hence we in Kwara are committed to towing this path to ensure that we seize the opportunities that are within our reach now, so that our girls will live free of this disease.
“I urge key stakeholders in respective communities to continue to amplify awareness and sensitization on benefits of presenting eligible children for the vaccine.
“This no doubt will entail engagements with our communities, traditional and religious institutions to educate, inform, and dispel any misconceptions surrounding the HPV vaccine,” she added,” she said.
In her welcoming address, Dr Nusirat Elelu, the Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency described HPV as a common virus that can affect different parts of your body.
She explained that it can be transmitted through sexual intercourse, as well as oral sex.
Elelu stated that the HPV vaccine targets the HPV types that most commonly cause cervical cancer ans can cause some cancers of the vulva, vagina, and anus.
According to her, a total number of 311,000 girls ages nine to 14 will be reached, while appealing to parents to dispel any rumours or misinformation about the vaccine.
She added that it is safe and efficacious, and will protect girls against the dreaded cervical cancer.
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