Cervical Cancer: FG to Introduce HPV vaccine, Rally Religious Leaders for Rollout
The Federal Government has said it would introduce Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) on September 25, this year, to prevent cervical cancer when given to girls between the ages of nine and 15 years.
The Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) Dr Faisal Shuaib, who disclosed this on Monday, at the Bi-Annual Religious Leaders Review Meeting convened by the agency, in Abuja, described HPV as one of the deadliest diseases that affects women and girls.
To this end, he solicited the support of traditional and religious leaders across the country to join hands with the medical community in championing the cause of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination.
“Revered Leaders, I want to use this auspicious occasion to bring to your attention the progress we are making towards preventing one of the deadliest diseases that affects our mothers, sisters and daughters: cervical cancer. This cancer is caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).
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“On the 25th of September this year, we will be introducing a vaccine, the HPV vaccine that prevents cervical cancer when given to our daughters between the ages 9 to 15 years.
“In your roles as spiritual guides, you hold the power to influence hearts and minds. Your words carry weight and inspire action. Today, I urge you to join hands with the medical community in championing the cause of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination”, he said.
According to the NPHCDA boss, by encouraging HPV vaccination within their congregations, they (traditional and religious leaders)”become advocates of life and guardians of health.”
Explaining that, “HPV vaccination is more than a medical breakthrough”,Dr Shuaib said: “It is a testament to our unity in safeguarding the sanctity of life.”
While appreciating the roles of His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto, and His Eminence, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Archbishop Daniel Okoh in promoting federal government’s vaccination efforts across the country, Dr Shuaib noted that:”They have consistently rallied religious leaders across the country, fostering support for primary healthcare programs and interventions.”
