Dr. Mary Onoja Alexander, a consultant physician at the Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KSPHCDA), emphasized the importance of early detection in preventing cervical cancer among women in Nigeria.
Speaking in Lokoja during a media dialogue on Cervical cancer and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine introduction organized by John-Stow International (JSI), Onoja highlighted the impact of the disease and the role of vaccination in stabilizing the immune system to combat the virus.
According to Onoja, the HPV vaccine is designed to protect against certain cancer types caused by the human papillomavirus by stimulating the body’s immune system to produce antibodies against the virus.
She pointed out that countries like Australia, Canada, and the USA have incorporated the cervical cancer vaccine into routine immunization programs, unlike many African countries. She stressed that vaccination is a safe and effective way to prevent cervical cancer in Africa.
At the same event, Kannah Terri Ibrahim, the Social Behavioral Change Focal Person for John-Stow International, highlighted the global impact of cervical cancer, with over 600,000 women affected worldwide in 2020, resulting in a high mortality rate, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria.
Ibrahim announced the commencement of the second phase of the HPV vaccination campaign, including Kogi State among the beneficiary states, targeting girls aged 9 to 14 years.
Stakeholder engagement, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, schools, and community outreach, will facilitate the successful implementation of the vaccination program in Kogi State and Nigeria as a whole, Ibrahim stated.
He emphasized the crucial role of the media in dispelling misconceptions about the vaccine and promoting its acceptance among the population.