Anita Ogona
The Rivers state government says that the human papillomavirus HPV Vaccine is safe and effective and it provides over 80% protection against cervical cancer
This according to the executive secretary of Rivers state Primary Healthcare Management Board DR KINIKAWON GREEN made the assertion at a media parley with notable Stakeholders in the health sector, Traditional and religious leaders to debunk rumours that the vaccine was not safe or was made to depopulate Africa by making women and Girls Sterile
Dr Green who described the one week campaign as a huge success revealed that the state recorded 85% success rate within the week, with able assistance from the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, supported by his beautiful wife Lady Valerie Fubara who had flagged of the campaign with hand-on support from the Commissioner for health Dr. Adaeze Oreh
He said for the avoidance of doubt, the vaccine has been in existence for years but at a high cost between 50,000 naira, above or below to take the full dose for Women who where well abled financially and families that have money that knows the benefits and importance of it, while noting that Rivers state Governor is committed to the health and wellbeing of Rivers people, adding that the HPV vaccine is an important measure to keep the girl child safe from cervical cancers,
“They have been vaccinating their girl child and women. so HPV vaccine is not New, its been available for a long time but at a very high price or cost and as such was not within the reach of everybody but a few persons, But now with the help of partners like WHO, UNICEF bill and Melinda gates Foundation etc have made it free for a target of Girls from age to 14 who are yet to be exposed to the virus so that they can have 80% protection from cervical cancer in the future”.
The free HPV Vaccination which was launched in the state officially on the 27th of May 2024 was part of strategies to reduce the burden of cervical cancer in the country as studies shows that 22 Nigerian women die daily because they could not afford the vaccine or the millions of naira needed to treat cervical cancer, hence the launch and introduction of the vaccine as routine immunisation
Dr Green stated that with 12000 cases diagnosed at least 8000 women die from cancer of the cervix. which is preventable
He noted that said HPV vaccine is Cervical cancer preventable disease and making it free for girls -child is solution to reduce the daily deaths and bring about large reduction in cases of cervical cancer in the future.
He said “I am a living example that the vaccine works, I have two daughters and they have both been vaccinated and as Gynecologists’, there no known side effects other than the minor pain around the region of immunized areas which a simple analgesic can stop if you must take it, So I urged parents, guardians, Teachers, religious and Traditional Leaders to encourage the girl child between the age of 9 to 14 Years to get vaccinated to secure their health for future sake
Also speaking a gynecologist/Oncologist in Rivers State University Teaching hospital, Professor Kennedy said the Vaccine is 100% safe, effective and has no side effect. He noted that different countries over the years have used this HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancers and in the past He had lectured and advocated for the vaccine to be made free, and now that is free and available He appealed to the media to help educate the public on the importance of HPV vaccine and to dispel the myths and false information circulating on social media
For Her part, a Professor in child health Dr Alice Nte noted that there several species of the HPV that affects human but the commonest is the one associated with cancer of the cervix, She re-emphasized that HPV vaccine is safe, effective and cost-free. she said WHO is adopting the 90-70- 90 approach target to reach over one million girls between the ages of nine to fourteen in the state, so we must ensure we do safe sex, protect our selves, so by 35years of age the woman should have been screened so that by 45years, 70% of women must have undergone the screening and women who are HIV Positive should be screened more frequently to detect free cancerous changes that will lead to early treatment, the 90%stage in the pre-cancerous chain should get treated and when you treat, at least 90% of them will get effective treatment that will help us reduce the mortality from cancer of the cervix
She said there was an urgent need for all stakeholders to come together to sensitize the public on its importance.
Another stakeholder A First class monarchs of Eze Oha Evo, The paramount ruler of Evo Kingdom, Eze Gbakagbaka III Lesley Eke who spoke on the one week HPV Campaign achievement in Obio/Akpor also urged parents and guardians to ensure that their daughters within the age bracket receive the jab; as the vaccine is safe and are given without cost at all public health facilities in the state. He advised community, religious and political leaders to join in encouraging their subjects to receive the vaccine and dissuade people from vaccine apathy, adding that the HPV vaccine would ensure that the targeted girls do not get infected with cervical cancer.
In a vote of thanks mode the Director Community Health Services Dr. Nwiyiokha Thanked the 1331 teams deployed for the campaign, all the Health and support staff, according to her who trekked distance to ensure that these Vaccine was administered in various communities within the 23 Local Government of the state, she said it was a huge task, at some points they knock on some doors but where rejected, but they continued to the next, despite the huge security challenge fears and also pointed out that the media dialogue was an opportunity to sensitize the public about the advantages of proven global interventions in the prevention of HPV through vaccination and appeal to all to accept it for safer future free from Cervical cancer
Our correspondent Anita Ogona reports that the Representatives of the religious bodies from PFN. Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, The Leaders from the Muslims religious bodies in the state also pledge to help in advancing the HPV awareness from their various pulpits
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