Abia state government through the Primary Health Care Development Agency has flagged off the human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) to checkmate the spread of cervical cancer especially among women.
The wife of the Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti who led the flag-off ceremony today at the Aba North Council Headquarters, said that cervical cancer is the second most prevalent cancer among women worldwide and has left a detrimental mark in our society. At the core of this disease, Mrs. Otti said, lies the human papillomavirus, a widely prevalent sexually transmitted infection responsible for over 95% of cases of cervical cancer.
Wife of Abia Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti during the flag off ceremony of hpv vaccine
However, the Governor’s wife said that she has come with other healthcare development partners to launch a potent and effective tool to combat cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine she explained, has proven to be a reliable preventive measure against cervical cancer.
According to her, “the vaccine delivery will target young girls of ages 9 to 14 because data reveals that a significant number of Nigerian women become sexually active at that age“.
While the Governor’s wife stated that the vaccine will be available at all wards in the primary healthcare centres, schools and communities, she also advised parents with eligible daughters aged 9 to 14 years to consent to vaccination.
Wife of Abia Governor examining a vaccinated pupil
Meanwhile, she thanked the Global Alliance for Vaccine Initiative (GAVI), the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, the Governor and other healthcare development partners for bringing about the HPV vaccine nationwide.
In her speech, the Commissioner for Health in Abia state, Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo, said that it is a huge concern that cervical cancer is the second most common cause of cancer among women in Nigeria.
“The introduction of HPV vaccine, therefore, is a deliberate measure in line with global best practices to checkmate cervical cancer,” she said.
Wife of Abia Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti(C), Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo(R) and Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs ,Prince Uzo Nwachukwu
Earlier, the Head of Service, Aba North LGA, Mr. Obinna Nwogwugwu said that it had been proven that the vaccine works effectively. He calls on traditional rulers, religious leaders to dispel every rumour against the vaccine and encourage teenage girls to get vaccinated.
In their goodwill messages, the WHO, UNICEF and other stakeholders who spoke through Mr. Ephraim Chukwu thanked Governor Alex Otti for providing the counterparts funding adding that Abia is among the 16 states in Nigeria that are at the forefront of eradicating cervical cancer.
