Mitigating the risk of cervical cancer with HPV vaccine in Borno and Yobe States, Nigeria
With over 660 000 cases of cervical cancer reported globally
and around 350 000 deaths recorded among women as of 2022 cervical cancer
remains the second leading cause of cancer among women in Nigeria, and fourth
globally indicating, at least 95% of cases are caused by Human papillomavirus
(HPV) infection.
This startling statistic reflects major inequities driven by
a lack of access to national HPV vaccination, intensified awareness, cervical
screening, and treatment services.
To bridge the gap and ensure everyone especially women and
girls have access to basic healthcare services, regardless of their
socio-economic status The World Health Organization (WHO) with funding from
Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, has supported the Borno and Yobe State Governments
to flag off HPV vaccination campaigns across the states.
The campaign, which is a state-wide intervention in Borno
and Yobe states, is expected to cover at least 750 public and private schools,
including reaching at-risk populations living in hard-to-reach and underserved
locations.
Speaking at the flag-off, the Borno State Honourable
Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Professor Mallam Gana, represented
by the Special Adviser on Health, Dr Abubakar Hassan, said this is part of the
overall state’s initiative to protect at-risk populations, especially women and
children. We will strategically monitor the overall exercise thoroughly and
ensure high quality of service is sustained.
Dr Hassan further lauded the efforts of the World Health
Organization for its continual support, leadership as the global health lead
and contribution to the overall planning of the HPV vaccination campaign.
“WHO’s leadership and technical support in ensuring access
to healthcare services, especially this vaccination, is quite commendable. We
are optimistic that this campaign will be a success, and that the collaboration
with the World Health Organization (WHO) will be sustained thereby
strengthening the health system.”
Meanwhile, in the counterpart state, Yobe, the wife of the
Executive Governor, represented by the State’s Commissioner for Women’s
Affairs, Hajia Ya-Jalo Badama said that the HPV vaccine is free, safe, and
effective, and we will ensure at-risk populations are provided with the
opportunity to protect themselves against cervical cancer.
“All hands and resources are on deck to ensure the success
of this campaign and we would like to appreciate the relentless support
received from the World Health Organization (WHO), especially in providing
guidance, ensuring effective coordination and orientation for the healthcare
workers,” added Hajia Ya-Jalo.
The vaccination campaign against Human papillomavirus (HPV)
across Borno and Yobe states is targeting children 9 – 14 years (more than 447
000 in Borno and at least 350 000 in Yobe states), and it is expected to
prevent them from HPV infection, cervical cancer and other HPV-related cancers.
Furthermore, the WHONigeria Country Representative, Dr
Walter Kazadi Mulombo says, this support is in line with the implementation of
the fourth WHO-Nigeria Country Cooperation Strategy (CCSIV) which includes
ensuring more people enjoy better health and well-being and benefit from
universal health coverage.
This strategy falls within the Government's vision for the
Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) to achieve health for all Nigerians.
Reiterating the World Health Organization’s steadfastness in
supporting the states in eliminating this life-threatening disease and ensuring
the success of the vaccination campaign, the WHO State Coordinators for Borno
and Yobe, Drs Ibrahim Salisu and Alhassan Dama said, “Cervical cancer is
preventable, and this vaccination campaign is aimed to protect at-risk
populations against HPV, and WHO is ensuring the success of this exercise as it
is one of the must win supports in the states.”
The State’s Coordinators added that, to ensure a better and
healthier future, WHO will continue to support the states to champion a more
comprehensive approach to eliminating the disease.