As part of Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to eliminate the deadly Human Papilloma Virus HPV across Nigeria, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate has flagged off a nationwide integration of HPV vaccine into School Health Programme.
The ceremony, held at Government Girls College in Bauchi State, North-East Nigeria, marks the first of such initiatives aimed at preventing cervical cancer which claims the lives of thousands of women annually despite being preventable and treatable.
Speaking at the flagging off of the vaccination exercise and awareness campaign, the minister emphasized that integrating the HPV vaccine into school health systems is a significant step in line with Federal Government’s broader strategy to eliminate cervical cancer.
He called on all relevant stakeholders to support the initiative by raising awareness and encouraging participation among eligible girls.
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Director General of National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, Usman Malami and the Secretary-General of National Task Force Committee on Cervical Cancer Elimination in Nigeria, Sani Malami highlighted the importance of the school-based vaccination campaign.
They stressed that the programme is designed to raise awareness and increase access to the HPV vaccine among the primary target group of girls aged between 9 and 14 who are mostly enrolled in schools.
Also speaking at the event, Bauchi State Commissioner for Health, Sani Dambam noted that Bauchi is among the first states to achieve high HPV vaccine coverage.
He assured the public of the state’s continued efforts to eliminate the virus and protect the health of young girls.
(Editor: Okechukwu Eze)
