Yobe Intensifies HPV Vaccination Drive Through Stakeholders Engagement

The Yobe State Primary Health Care Board (YSPHCB), in collaboration with the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), has intensified preparations for the implementation of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in primary schools across the state, with renewed emphasis on strong stakeholder participation and community mobilisation.

A statement from the Information and Public Relations Officer of the board, Adamu Saidu Abba said the agency organised a one day Stakeholders Engagement Meeting on HPV Vaccination in Primary Schools at the MHWUN Premises, opposite the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital, Damaturu.

The meeting brought together key stakeholders from the health and education sectors, including school headmasters, Education Secretaries, Health Promotion Officers (HPOs) and Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilisation (ACSM) partners from eight LGAs of Bursari, Damaturu, Fune, Fika, Geidam, Gujba, Jakusko and Nguru.

Declaring the meeting open, the Executive Secretary of YSPHCB, Dr. Babagana Kundi Machina, represented by the Deputy Director, Immunization and Disease Control, Alhaji Muhammad Danjuma, stressed the importance of collective responsibility and effective coordination among stakeholders to ensure that eligible girls are reached with the HPV vaccine.

He noted that the success of the vaccination programme would depend largely on effective collaboration between the health and education sectors, schools, communities, parents and development partners.

The engagement also provided an opportunity to strengthen understanding of HPV vaccination and address key operational issues ahead of the school-based vaccination exercise, which targets 9 year old girls.

Discussions focused on awareness creation, identification and selection of schools, clarification of stakeholders’ roles, community engagement and mobilisation, coordination of vaccination activities, and agreed next steps.

Participants also received updates on the ongoing diphtheria outbreak response.

The meeting further emphasised the critical role of school authorities, health promotion personnel and community structures in building confidence, providing accurate information to parents and communities, and ensuring that no eligible girl is missed during the vaccination exercise.

Also in attendance were the Deputy Director, Community and Family Health, Alhaji Satomi Hikama; representatives of the Director of Finance; Sani Muhammad Sarkin Noma; and Goni Abba Ngala, New Vaccine Introduction Consultant, CHAI.

The Director of Information Services, Yobe State Ministry of Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Alhaji Ali Musa Yawale delivered the closing remarks, appreciating the stakeholders for their participation and encouraging continued collaboration to support effective implementation of the HPV vaccination programme.