Cervical Cancer: Yobe Govt, Partners Conduct HPV Vaccine Across 17 LGAs

The Yobe State Ministry of Health (SMOH) and the State Primary Health Care Board (SPHCB) in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA, among other development partners have successfully conducted a five day Human Papilloma Virus Vaccines (HPVV) campaign for female children age 9-14 years old.

The exercise, which was formally flagged off in Damaturu the Yobe State capital by the first lady, was successfully conducted across the 17 local government areas accordingly.

The Yobe State director information, Ministry of Home Affairs, Information and Culture who is also the Chairman State Social Mobilisation and Engagement, Alhaji Ali Musa Yawale expressed happiness with the acceptance of the vaccine by the parents, guidance and caregivers. “I was part of those who supervised the exercise especially in the rural areas and the local government headquarters but I must tell you that the general acceptance of the vaccine is quite encouraging. “The general awareness on the dangers of cervical cancer and the importance of the HPV vaccine has greatly helped and as such the exercise is generally successful in Yobe State.

“I would like to used this medium to commend the efforts of the State Ministry of Health, State Primary Health Care Board, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, UNICEF, WHO, CDC AFERNET, BMGF, Dangote Foundation, CHAI to mention but a few for their untiring support which led to the success of the exercise across the state,” Yawale said.

The state First Lady, represented by the commissioner of Women Affairs, Hajiya Ya Jalo Badama has while flagging-off the campaign at the Government Girls College, Damaturu,   said the measure was part of the present administration’s efforts of eliminating all preventable diseases through vaccination for a better future.

The Commissioner said the administration of governor Mai Mala Buni considers healthcare of its people as a key priority area hence the government remained determined to tackle challenges posed by deadly diseases such as HPV.

“In Nigeria, cervical cancer is the third most common cancer and the second most frequent cause of cancer deaths among women aged between 35 and 45 years. In 2020 alone, Nigeria recorded 12,000 new cases and 8,000 deaths from cervical cancer.

“The HPV vaccine is highly effective in preventing cervical and other types of cancers caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).

“Let me use this opportunity to reassure the people of Yobe State that   Health care is undoubtedly a key priority of this administration, we will continue to put in our best to improve on the provision of Primary Health Care services especially preventive services like immunization by ensuring that the under-served, remote and hard to reach communities are not left out.”

Also, commissioner of Health and Human Services, Dr Mohammed Lawan Gana, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Isa Bukar said the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is safe and effective in protecting humans against HPV infection.

“HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the world, and a leading cause of cervical cancer among women.”