Traditional rulers, presidents general of town unions and religious leaders in Anambra state have been sensitized to inform their subjects and followers particularly girls of nine to 14 years to vaccinate themselves against cervical cancer which is caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).
This was the outcome of Town Hall meeting with Stakeholders in Awka on Introduction of Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine into Routine Immunization coming up next week Tuesday 28th May 2024 at designated health centres in the state offering immunization.
The exercise was organised by the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) in collaboration with Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA) with support from World Health Organisation (WHO).
The major aim of the Town Hall meeting was to correct misinformation and disinformation propagated on the social media against the planned vaccination that it is introduced by the President Bola Tinubu to de-populate the Igbos.
But addressing the above issue on the theme “Crisis Management” , Dr Judith Ani of the International Vaccine Access Centres (IVAC) asked the publics to discard misinformation that dampen the HPV vaccination, cervical cancer and other public health initiatives in order to allow their girl children be beneficiary of the vaccination.
“This vaccine will maintain the biological productivity of your child in the future and will not, in any way, decrease the population of the South East. People in the North and South West including Lagos where President Tinubu was former governor, are taking it. Please don’t bring politics into health issues. If they kill us, who will vote for them? So we encourage high uptake.
“HPV is a virus that causes cervical cancer, penile cancer and oral cancer transmitted through sexual intercourse and skin to skin contact. Thus, cervical cancer is the leading cause of death among women.”
The Director, Disease Control and Immunization ANPHCDA, Dr Placcid Uliagbafusi said the event was held because of the fundamental duties of traditional rulers and religious leaders as community gatekeepers who mobilize communities for community participation and ownership.
Armed with accurate information, Dr Uliagbafusi said the duo help to promote population health, including HPV vaccination to prevent and reduce incidence of cervical cancer thereby attaining good coverage during the forthcoming HPV vaccination campaign.
“We have graciously agreed to leverage on our platforms to step down the knowledge acquired about the benefits and safety of the HPV Vaccine to the members of the community, and disseminate right and correct information about the HPV Vaccine.
“Understanding the importance of parental and caregivers’ consent for vaccination, we will focus our efforts on encouraging them to give consent for their children’s vaccination. As the target age group consists of minors, our endorsement will reassure parents and caregivers to inspire their confidence in the confidence process.”
Earlier, the Executive Secretary, Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency Awka, Pharm Chisom Uchem charged the audience to be ambassadors in propagating the immunization message to the grassroots and applauded the efforts of the traditional rulers in the state health initiatives.
She maintained that the HPV vaccine are safe, free and effective.
Responding, the traditional ruler of Aguleri, Dr Michael Idigo and National President of Anambra State Association of Town Unions, Barr Titus Akpudo said they are ready to pass the message for the implementation of HPV vaccines to the grassroots in Anambra State.
Other dignitaries present at the even were Sir Ugochukwu Emeribe, (NPHCDA); Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Anambra State, Ven Joseph Nweke; Islamic cleric, Al immam Sherif Olanrewaju and Hajia Khadijat Olahan.###
