Hundreds of women in Ebonyi State have matched through major roads and streets of Abakaliki, the State capital to draw public attention to the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination programme, meant for the prevention of Cervical Cancer disease.
The walk led by the wife of the State Governor, Uzoamaka Nwifuru, had top female government officials, gender activists, health workers, and young girls who campaigned for support to end cultural practices, stigmatisation and negative narratives, so as to save the girl-child from the deadly, but preventable cervical cancer scourge.
Mrs Nwifuru speaking at the flagg-off of a free vaccination exercise and awareness campaign in the State, asked parents and guardians to make their children available for the vaccination.
The Governor’s wife said the HPV vaccine costs as much as 40 to 60 thousand Naira, which the State in collaboration with the Primary Healthcare Agency, is providing for free to female children between 9 to 14 years of age.
A health expert, Dr. Lilian Nwaobashi who spoke to ait.live emphasised the need for eligible female children to take the vaccination, dismissing concerns against negative effects of the vaccine on human body.
In Nigeria, cervical cancer is the second most frequent cause of cancer deaths among women aged between 15 and 44 years, yet public awareness on the disease is very low, especially in the rural communities where there is high prevalence.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
