By Dare Akogun
The wife of the Kwara State governor, Ambassador Olufolake AbdulRazaq, has assured the public of the efficacy of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine while urging stakeholders to dispel negative rumors and misconceptions surrounding the vaccine.
This assurance was given during the flag-off ceremony for the free HPV vaccination program aimed at preventing cervical cancer among school children in the state.
Ambassador AbdulRazaq highlighted Kwara State’s commitment to leveraging current opportunities to ensure that girls in the state can live free from the threat of cervical cancer.
She emphasized the importance of this initiative as a part of an ambitious strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health concern.
“Today’s event sets the tone for an ambitious, inclusive strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health concern. HPV vaccines, along with corresponding devices and operational funds, have been provided to the states to support this exercise,” she said.
Ambassador AbdulRazaq also thanked Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his consistent financial support for primary healthcare activities, including the introduction of the HPV vaccine.
She stressed the importance of community engagement and the role of traditional and religious institutions in educating and informing the public to dispel misconceptions about the HPV vaccine.
She called on parents and guardians, especially mothers, to ensure that all eligible girls between the ages of 9-14 years across the 193 wards in the 16 local government areas of Kwara State are vaccinated during the five-day program.
The Kwara State First Lady also called on other relevant stakeholders, including the Governors Wives Forum, wives of LGA chairmen, traditional and religious leaders, Civil Society Organizations, women groups, and the media, to support the success of the HPV vaccination initiative and other primary healthcare activities.
Dr. Nusirat Elelu, Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency, announced that no fewer than 311,000 schoolgirls between 9-14 years are targeted for vaccination against cervical cancer across Kwara State in five days.
“Following this, the HPV vaccine will be available through routine immunization at primary healthcare facilities,” she said.
Dr. Muyi Aina, Executive Director and CEO of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), represented by Sheu Hassan, stated that at least 80% of eligible girls would be reached during the five-day intensification period.
“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,” Aina said.
He emphasized that the HPV vaccine is free, safe, and effective, urging stakeholders to mobilize their communities to ensure all eligible girls are vaccinated.
The vaccination program is being implemented by John Snow Incorporated (JSI), a member of the HPV Vaccine Acceleration Programme Partners Initiative (HAPPI) Consortium, and is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
At the event, a total of 787 school children were vaccinated.
