By Ademola Orunbon
In its determination to reduce the impact of cervical cancer and other related cancers caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), improve their well-being, and protect young girls in their later age, the Ogun State Government in collaboration with development partners in the health sector is set to introduce the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine into the State Routine Immunisation schedule.
The Executive Secretary of, Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola, made this known during the State Technical Working Group meeting in Abeokuta, noting that cervical cancer could be prevented in women through regular screening and early detection, as well as getting vaccinated against HPV, affirming that the vaccine would be administered to young girls between the ages of 9-13 years.
Speaking, the State Consultant on HPV from the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Oluwaseun Inetagbo, and her counterpart from the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Dr. Giwa Omotayo, appreciated the State government for its efforts and readiness at ensuring the well-being of women, urging the stakeholders present at the meeting to support the initiative by sensitising people around them on the benefits of the new vaccine.
Other stakeholders present at the meeting were the representatives of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), League of Imams and Alfas, among others.