Anambra Govt Intensifies Sensitization On HPV Vaccination Against Cervical Cancer
Statistics have shown that Nigeria records about twelve thousand cervical cancer cases every year, leading to about eight thousand deaths.
A lead paper presenter, Mrs. Chineze George-Ileka, disclosed this during a sensitization campaign against human papilloma virus (HPV) sponsored by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Awka.
Mrs. Ileka pointed out that the virus ranks the second most common cause of death among women, but stressed that cervical cancer can be prevented with vaccines given to girl- child between the ages of nine and fourteen.
She urged the citizens to discard the rumor flying in the social media that the vaccine is meant to prevent girls from bearing children, noting that with the sensitization, there would be a behavioral change in the society
In her speech, the Principal of Kenneth Dike Memorial Secondary School, Awka, Mrs. Catherine Onwura, expressed appreciation for the campaign about cervical cancer, adding that the vaccine has been in the country, and urged the students to tell their parents about the vaccination.
Also speaking, the Principal of Henz-Dike Memorial Secondary School, Mr. Mitchell Emeka-Okoye, described the campaign as good intervention meant to save lives and commended UNICEF for their kind gesture as the exercise would be beneficial to the girl-child,
Contributing, the Headmistress of Ikwodiaku Primary School, Mrs. Ukamaka Anyaene, revealed that she has told her pupils to participate in the vaccination exercise, and commended UNICEF for their efforts to eradicate the deadly virus.
A total of thirty primary and secondary schools have been visited by the sensitization team.