Niger Vaccinates 444,659 Girls Against Human Papillomavirus

Niger state has screened over 22000 women and treated over 300 using the screen and treat approach, as well as vaccinated 444,659 girls against HPV.

The commissioner of Health, Dr Murtala Muhammad Bagana, disclosed this at a news conference to commemorate World Cancer Day in Minna yesterday.

He said, “We have scaled up cervical cancer and HPV prevention services across Chanchaga, Paikoro, Suleja, Bosso, Gbakilo, Borgu, Kontogora, Lapai and Mokwa. We have screened over 22,000 women, treated over 300 using the screen and treat approach.”

According to him, services were established in primary health care centres PHCs and hospitals with a specific cervical cancer unit at Jummai Babangida ALIYU Materna and neonatal Hospital.

“We have also vaccinated 444,659 girls ages 9-14 years against HPV, one of the most powerful cancer prevention tools available today. This is prevention in its most practical form,” he added.

He said late diagnosis, test costs, rural access gaps, and out-of-pocket expenses still push patients to present too late, and that accepting the reality was the first step toward changing it.

The Commissioner said, beyond marking the day, the state was strengthening primary healthcare, expanding awareness, recommencing HPV screening for women of reproductive age, and providing free mammograms and other services.