Wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, has said that the free Human Papilloma Virus(HPV) vaccination for girls would safeguard their health, well-being and fiture.
Soludo also the founder of Healthy Living Initiative, made the ascertion during the flag-off of the HPV vaccine introduction into Routine Immunisation at Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Area.
The event was organised by the Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ASPHCDA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and partners.
She described Cervical Cancer as a scourge in the society which is becoming one of the leading causes of deaths among women.
According to her, Every year in Nigeria, cervical cancer silently manifests in about 12,000 women and takes the lives of 8000 promising women.
“This disease destroys the lives of these women taking them away from their families just as they reach the prime of their lives, leaving husbands without wives, children without mothers and families in financial ruins.
“The introduction of the HPV vaccine promises to safeguard the future of our children and tackle a significant health challenge head-on.
“The women of our future generation no longer have to wait and hope that ‘cervical cancer will not be their portion’. Solution is here with HPV vaccine.
“HPV vaccine will provide lasting protection for our girl child aged 9-14 years before they get exposed to the virus that is the primary cause of Cervical Cancer.
“I urge our children and our future to come out and get vaccinated to protect your future from Cervical Cancer,’ she said.
Also speaking, Dr Chukwumuanya Igboekwu, World Health Organisation Southeast Zonal Coordinator, said Africa had the highest burden of cervical cancer in the world.
According to him, the government is introducing HPV vaccine into routine immunisation as one the strategies to reduce the burden.
Mr Anthony Muobike, Chairman House Committee on Health at the State Assembly, urged parents to encourage their girl-child to get vaccinated.
Dr Afam Obidike, state’s Commissioner for Health urged residents to support Gov. Chukwuma Soludo-led administration as he strives to safeguard the health and well-being of residents.
In her remarks, Mrs Chisom Uchem, Executive Secretary, ASPHCDA, said HPV is the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract which causes more than 95 per cent of cases of cervical cancer.
“HPV vaccine which will be provided in schools, within community and in health facilities over the next few days. Together, we can eliminate cervical cancer in Anambra state and Nigeria,” Uchem said.
