Kogi to commence HPV Vaccination, seeks media collaboration.

—- As study shows that 604, 000 died annually from Cervical Cancer

By Obansa Ibrahim, Lokoja

Kogi state Primary Healthcare Development Agency KSPHCDA has begun awareness and advocacy campaign for the commencement of Human Papillomavirus Vaccines HPV into the routine vaccination of the state.

In a one day Media Dialogue on Cervical cancer and HPV vaccination introduction organised by KSPHCDA and supported by Melinda and gates Foundation and John Stone International JSI for working Journalists on Tuesday in Lokoja.

According to experts, the Cervical cancer has killed over 604 ,000 victims across the globe , however , over 70% of the mortality occured in sub sabaran Africa., hence, curious minds came together with the solutions found in HPV vaccines.

Although, many nations have integrated the vaccine into their Healthcare vaccination routine, Nigeria lagged behind in keying into the program with devastating effects on the populace.

To this end sixteen states have been captured in 2023 in first phase while the second phase has Kogi and twenty five other states for the routine vaccination, which requires aggressive sensitisation and advocacy campaign to enable seamless exercise.

In her presentation on “understanding the cervical cancer disease, burden in Nigeria” a consultant, Dr Mary Onoja Alexander disclosed that,
cervical cancer and breast cancer are the most common disease in Women among development Countries.

Dr Alexander posited that, the intake of the vaccine will help stabilise the immune system to fight the virus in the body.

She averred further that, early vaccination will help in the protection of the girl child against cervical cancer.

“HPV vaccine protects against certain types of cancer caused by human papilloma virus. It works by stimulating the body’s immune system to produce antibodies against the human papilloma virus. When a person receives the vaccine, their immune system recognizes the viral proteins in the vaccine and produces a response that protects against HPV infections”

In his contribution, Kannah Terri Ibrahim of HAPPI noted that the huge capital outlay of the vaccine necesitated the authority to target girls within the age bracket of 9-14 who are sexually active.

He said , the disease is transmitted mainly through sexual intercourse and skin to skin contact.
He added that early detection through screening can reveal changes in cervical dysplasia, without major signs and symptoms.

According to Ibrahim, Cervical cancer may show sign of painless growth, causes pains during and after intercourse, vagina bleeding, pelvic pains , watery vagina discharge and bleeding of rectums during passing stool.

He lamented at the high rate of the disease in the northern part of the country and urged Governments , parents , and adolescent girls to accept the vaccination as it is safe and has little side effects.

In her paper paper, titled “The role and power of the Media – Finding the needle in a hay sack” Mary Okpodu urge Journalists to be the Ambassador of the campaign by reporting the news that alters the age long myth of cultural, religion and political consideration against the vaccine.