Bauchi state Governor urges parent to present daughters for HPV vaccination

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed has appealed to parents to make their daughters available for the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination.

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He made the call at the launch of the HPV vaccine for the prevention of cervical cancer on Tuesday in Bauchi. HPV is a virus that transmits through skin-to-skin contact and can develop in anyone who is sexually active.

HPV is a primary cause of cervical cancer and other cancers, including cancer of the vulva, vagina, penis, or anus, and by protecting young girls before exposure to the virus, it can reduce the incidence of the devastating disease significantly.

The governor, therefore, urged traditional rulers, community leaders, organisations, religious bodies, individuals and families to join in mobilising mothers and caregivers to make girls available for the HPV vaccination.

He expressed optimism that the HPV vaccine would reduce the burden of cancer in the state and the country at large.

He added that, “My administration, in collaboration with development partners is prepared for mass vaccination of female children aged 9-14 years across the 20 local government areas in the state against the disease.”

He said campaign for the HPV vaccination would be taken to health facilities, public and private schools, markets, social gatherings, religious places and communities.

Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, the Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPHCDA), said operations for the commencement of the campaign started three months ago.

He explained that, “We formed HPV Technical Working Groups at the national and state levels, advocacy, social mobilisation and public enlightenment were adequately done to educate people on the vaccine in collaboration with UNICEF and other partners.”

The chairman said the HPV vaccine selected for Nigeria is a single dose, although the doses come in first, second and third.

He explained that, “Because of compliance, Nigeria selected the single dose so that when you just give the person, it is over.”

The Chief of UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Dr Clement Adams, thanked the state government for the support rendered to development partners working in the state.

Adams encouraged health workers and stakeholders involved in the HPV vaccination campaign to redouble their efforts to ensure that services reached the targeted girls.

“I also want to encourage parents, teachers, traditional rulers and communities to ensure that they present their children so that they can all take the vaccine because of the benefits.”