Death of over 8000 Women annually due to cervical cancer in Nigeria very worrisome- NGO in Kogi laments
By Odimayo Olatunde Fredrick
The Global Hope for Women and Children foundation has decried the spate at which thousands of Women are dying of cervical cancer in Nigeria annually.
Speaking at one day community engagement on human papilloma virus, (HPV) vaccine and cervical cancer prevention in Lokoja Kogi State, the Chief Executive Officer/ Executive Director, Global Hope for Women and Children foundation Mrs Christy Abayomi Oluwole said that over 8,000 Women dies annually of Cervical cancer in Nigeria.
While calling on all stakeholders to join hands to support the intake of Human Papilloma Virus to prevent the deadly disease, Mrs Oluwole said in Nigeria, cervical cancer has been recorded to be the second most common cancer among our Women and even the fourth most common worldwide. .
“We are here this morning to have a community engagement on the introduction of human papilloma virus vaccine that will be rolled out on the 27th of May 2024 in Kogi State and other State that are in the phase two of the HPV introduction.
“The HPV vaccine is to prevent our Women and girls from the infection of human papilloma virus which mainly causes cervical cancer.
“In Nigeria, research has it that every year, Nigeria record 12,000 about new cases of cervical cancer. Also in Nigeria every year, at least 8000 Women die from cervical cancer, and that is why the federal government is so passionate about putting a stop to this in it bid to curb the spread of cervical cancer through human papilloma virus vaccine” she stated.
Mrs Oluwole emphasized that, the target audience for the intake of the human papilloma virus vaccine are girls within the ages of nine to 14 years.
Continuing, she said “We want to ensure that the target girls get vaccinated. Because of that, all eyes are on deck, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Federal Ministry of health are working in collaboration with all partners like IVAC, to mobilize eligible girls within the age of nine and 14 to get vaccinated against the human papilloma virus so that the issue of cervical cancer can be minimized and our society and the Country at large.
” We are happy this morning because all relevant stakeholders working with the State are all put in their best to support the Kogi State Government who is already in the forefront of fighting the cervical cancer. It is important to noted that Human Papilloma Virus does not only affect Women alone.
“It affect both male and female. But because of the burden of cervical cancer, that is why we are concerned on girls. We are focusing on girls within the age of nine to 14 years old because they are not sexually active and are not exposed to the human Papilloma Virus which is mainly transmitted through sex and through body contact.
“Because of this, we have trained, put alot of things in place with support from the relevant agencies to train world vaccine and settlement vaccine champions who have been around the nooks and crannies of the State do alot of sensitization, advocacy and awareness campaign on the human papilloma virus vaccine introduction and also to ensure that our girls are mobilized for vaccination. We have visited churches, mosques, market square and tbe community at large.
She noted that her organization remains passionate about the wellbeing of children, women and other vulnerable population.
“We are working in Kogi State and six other State in Nigeria to ensure that we have a better life for our Women and Children and the vulnerable population” She added.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary, Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, (KSPHCDA) Dr Abubakar Yakubu appreciated the Convener of the meeting stressing that, much measures have been put in place to have an hitch free campaign.
According to him, “It is on this note all our partners gathers here today so that our people can be mobilize, and ensure that this vaccine is acceptable for our children intake. We have reached out to several groups for proper dissemination of the vaccines across the State. We are optimistic that with the preparation put in place, we will have an hitch free vaccine launch”
On her part, a consultant with the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja Dr Abimbola Adesanya admonished parents not to be scared for the girl Child to take the vaccines. Her words” Just yesterday, we are still discussing some misconception about the intake of human papilloma virus vaccine.
“My own is to advice everyone that they need to go all out especially mother’s to ensure that their girl Child takes this vaccines. Due to knowledge, am a Christian and the bible talks about my people perishing for lack of knowledge. Because of the bundle of knowledge I had, about two years ago, I paid for my daughter to be vaccinated because I know that this is a very important for her health.
“I have seen Women die of cervical cancer and I know what it does to the family, and husband. My advice to our mothers and parents is for them not to have fear. My daughter is doing very well. If I have the opportunity as a girl Child to have the vaccine, I believe I would have loved to have gotten the vaccine.
” Every year, I put my self into several check just to be sure that I am free. This is a cancer that does not give you early warning signs. The moment the warning signs come, the individual is close to the grave. Since this has come for the Children, let us avail them that opportunity so that in the future we won’t look back and say this thing was available and I didn’t give my girl Child.
” Medical Women Association has been appealing to the Federal Government to add this vaccines to our routine. Now that they have done it, we are really over joyed. We are very strong in this campaign and we advice that no body should have fear and ensure that they go ahead, get this vaccines. The reactions that we have for other vaccines are the same reactions, so there is nothing stopping them from having a fruitful life”
It was gathered that, the human papilloma virus vaccine will be launched on the 27th of May 2024 in Kogi State.
The One day community engagement on human papilloma virus, (HPV) vaccine and cervical cancer prevention in Lokoja Kogi State had in attendance representatives from CPI, red cross, WHO, National Orientation Agency, (NOA) Medical Women Association of Nigeria, traditional rulers were all in attendance.
