Healthcare workers in the Wamba Local Government Area of Nasarawa State are calling on parents and guardians to vaccinate their daughters against the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), a common viral infection that can lead to cervical cancer. The appeal was made during a Champions Community Outreach organized by Pathfinder International, Nigeria, in the Angwan Yasanda community of Wamba. The outreach aims to encourage mass participation in the HPV vaccination program among young girls aged 9 to 14.
According to Ramatu Sanda, Immunisation Officer in Wamba LGA, HPV is a major cause of cervical cancer, and vaccinating girls against the virus can protect them from contracting the disease in the future. The vaccine is free, safe, and effective, and is administered in government healthcare facilities across the state. Sanda emphasized the need for wider and effective grassroots sensitization on the virus to curb its spread.
The outreach program is part of a larger effort to educate parents and caregivers about the importance of HPV vaccination. Healthcare workers will conduct compound meetings with parents and caregivers to sensitize them on the benefits of the vaccine. Bayo Ewuola, Senior Media and Communications Officer at Pathfinder International, Nigeria, explained that the vaccine protects against cervical, throat, and other forms of HPV-related cancers. He urged parents to take advantage of the free vaccination program to safeguard their daughters’ health.
The Nasarawa State Government has integrated the HPV vaccine into its routine immunization program, making it accessible to eligible girls across the state. The government has also partnered with organizations like Pathfinder International to promote the vaccination program and reduce the incidence of cervical cancer. Halima Yahaya Mohammed, Education Secretary of Wamba and HPV champion, expressed gratitude to dignitaries who attended the outreach and reiterated the commitment of the Education sector to ensuring the success of the HPV vaccination campaign.
Cervical cancer is a significant health challenge in Nigeria, with the country recording 12,000 new cases and 8,000 deaths annually. The HPV vaccine has proven effective in preventing HPV-related cases, and widespread vaccination can reduce the incidence of cervical cancer. By vaccinating girls at a young age, the program aims to protect them from the virus and promote a healthier future.
