FG to introduce HPV vaccines for cervical cancer prevention

To prevent cervical cancer in teenage girls in Nigeria, the Federal Government (FG) has announced intentions to provide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations.

Speaking during the Bi-Annual Review Meeting of Religious Leaders on Primary Health Care (PHC) Delivery, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), made this point.

According to Shuaib, the HPV vaccines, which will be made available on September 25, 2023, will shield girls between the ages of nine and fifteen from developing cervical cancer.

“In our desire to reach every corner, we acknowledge the role religious leaders play. They possess the power to disseminate critical information that can influence behaviour, dispel myths and encourage preventive practice,” Shuaib said.

“Concerning progress on cervical cancer, caused by Human papillomavirus (HPV), on September 25, we’ll introduce the HPV vaccine which prevents this cancer when given to girls of nine to 15 years.

“This cervical cancer affecting our mothers, sisters and daughters is caused by HPV,” he said.

The Federal Government's Shuaib asked Christian and Muslim leaders to spread the word about vaccinations, debunk myths and prejudices, and inspire their followers to adopt healthier lifestyles.

The fourth most prevalent cancer among women worldwide is cervical cancer, a kind of cancer that occurs in a woman's cervix.

Experts believe that it was responsible for 311,000 fatalities worldwide in 2018 alone.

Source