By Kalu Idika
The increasing cases of cervical cancer among women has continued to generate concern from stakeholders in Nasarawa State.
To reduce the menace, some parents including those from a nomadic community in Wamba local Government area of the state released their eligible female children to receive cervical cancer preventable vaccines during a community outreach organized by an HPV vaccine Champion from the community, Hajiya Halima Mohammed
Investigation shows that cervical cancer is one of the leading cause of death among women in the country and other parts of the world.
To protect the girl child from being infected by the Human Papiloma Virus (HPV) that causes cervical cancer, the World Health Organization WHO targets that ninety percent of eligible girls are vaccinated by twenty thirty in line with the global Sustainable Development Agenda.
In Nigeria including Nasarawa State, myth, misconception and misinformation about vaccinations still remain a socio-cultural challenge that prevents many households from accepting and receiving vaccinations.
Sharing her experience during a community outreach, an HPV Vaccine Champion, Hajiya Halima Mohammed narrated how she took a trip to nomadic communities to educate and sensitize parents and guidance about the benefits of the HPV Vaccine in protecting the girl child from cervical cancer.
“In addition to other communities i visited, i was in nomadic community where we discussed so much about the HPV and they asked questions why it is only girls that will get the vaccine, i told them women are at risk than their male counterparts when it comes to contracting infections that affects the reproductive system”.
She expressed happiness with the number of parents and guardians who made their children and ward available for the vaccination.
The Immunization Officer in Wamba Local Government Area, Mrs. Sanda commended the organizer of the community outreach for according priority to the health and wellbeing of the girl child.
She gave assurance that the health department in the LGA will intensify community mobilization to ensure that more girls are vaccinated against cervical cancer.
Mallam Usman Hassan Sodangi, the Chairman of Parents Teachers Association, Nomadic Primary School, Wuro Sambo who spoke in Hausa lauded the State Government and development partners for the free health care for children in rural communities.
He expressed conviction in the efficacy of the vaccine which enabled him to allow his children to receive the vaccine.
In an interview, Senior Communications Officer, Pathfinder International, Nigeria Field, Mr. Bayo Ewola stated that the organization is using trained HPV Champions in collaboration with the State Government and a community based organization, Community Link for Health and Family Planning Advocacy, CLHFPA to educate the public especially those in hard to reach places on the importance of the HPV Vaccine in protecting girl child from contracting cervical cancer.
Mr. Ewola called on stakeholders especially religious and traditional leaders to support efforts by the Government aimed at reducing cervical cancer in the State and the country at large.
About forty-two (42) girls received the HPV Vaccine during the community outreach.
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