Bauchi State launches HPV vaccination campaign to prevent cervical cancer

From Paul Orude Bauchi

Bauchi State Government on Tuesday flagged off campaign for the introduction of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine to prevent cervical cancer.

Speaking during the flag off ceremony at Government Comprehensive Secondary School Bakari Dukku, Governor Bala Mohammed who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government Barrister Ibahim Kashim, expressed optimism that the HPV vaccine would reduce the burden of cancer in the state.

Mohammed said the administration in collaboration with development partners was prepared for the mass vaccination of female children aged 9-14 years across the 20 Local Government Areas in the State against the disease.

He said the exercise would be taken to health facilities, public and private schools, markets places, social gathering, religious places and communities to reach out school girls.

He called on parents, caregivers, school proprietors and managers, headmasters and principals of government, private and faith-based schools to avail their children and students of the rare opportunity to receive this vaccine.

In his remark, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Adamu Umar Sambo, disclosed that the administration had prioritise the health sector as one of the key areas of intervention.

Sambo, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Ali Babayo, commended the governor for sustaining 15 percent budget allocation to the health sector in line with the Abuja Declaration.

“As a ministry we will ensure good policy formulation for improved health services across both primary and secondary facilities where robust coordination, sector based approaches in all our health agencies and institutions are enhanced at all levels,” he said.

The Executive Chairman of the State Primary Health Care Board, Dr Rilwanu Adamu, said operations for the commencement of the campaign began three months

“We formed HPV Technical Working Groups at the National, state and national level,” he said, assuring of success in the HPV campaign in the state.

He said advocacy, social mobilization and public enlightenment were adequately done to educate the people of the state on the vaccine in collaboration with UNICEF and other partners.

Adamu disclosed that the HPV vaccine selected for Nigeria is a single dose although the doses come in first, second and third.

“Because of compliance Nigeria selected single does so that when you just give the person that is over,” he said

In a goodwill message, Chief of UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Dr Clement Adams, thanked the state government for the support being rendered to development partners working in the state.

Adams encouraged health workers as well as other stakeholders be involved in the HPV vaccination campaign to redouble their efforts to ensure that the services reached the targeted girls.

“I also want to encourage all parents, teachers, traditional rulers and the communities at large to ensure that they bring out all the children so that they can all take the vaccine because of the benefits,” he stated.

He assured the state government of UNICEF’s continuous support to ensure that all planned were being implemented.

Also in a goodwill message, Dr Jelal Saleh, from the World Health Organisation (WHO) said that the flag off of the HPV vaccination campaign would transform the health and well-being of the citizenry of Bauchi State.

Saleh said that cervical cancer was a leading cause of deaths of women while huge burden.

“Cervical cancer is not just a health issue but a matter of social justice, equity and human rights,” he said.

“It affects women in the low regions and can be prevented with effective vaccination which we are launching today.

“I want to commend the vision and commitment of the State Governor who has recognized the importance of protecting the lives of our women and girls in Bauchi State.

“The HPV campaign is a testimony to the governor’s dedication to public health and his determination to reduce the burden of preventable diseases in the state.

“The wife of the governor also deserves our commendation for her continuous support of the initiative that empowers and protect women in Bauchi State”

In his remark, Dr Rabiu Fagge of the Aliko Dangote the Bill and Mellinda Gate Foundations HPV flag off as a special day in the history of the country for achieving “a long standing milestone through the introduction of the vaccine”

“This is unprecedented and it is important to remind us that cervical cancer is the second commonest cancer and killer of women in women in Nigeria,” he stated.

“With over 20, 000 cases annually and about 8000 deaths annually, it has a huge public health burden”

He assured that the Aliko Dangote and the Bill and Mellinda  Gate Foundations are happy with  the continuous collaboration and partnership with the state government  in forefront  of ownership of public health in the state.

“We will continue to provide that support and also appreciate the enabling environment being provided by the state government,” he said.

“The health care workers are instrumental in this particular r intervention so we urge them and the traditional institutions, teachers and parents to see reason why we must prevent girls from this disease”