The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), has inaugurated the vaccination of girls ages Nine to 14 in secondary schools in Nasarawa State against Human Papilloma Virus(HPV), a major causative agent of cervical cancer.
The HPV vaccination exercise is done in collaboration with the Nasarawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NAPHDA) and other stakeholders.
Prof. Usman Malami-Aliyu, Director -General of NICRAT, inaugurated the exercise at Government Secondary School, Tudun-Kauri in Lafia on Friday.
Represented by Mr Musa Mutiu Terere, Senior Scientific Officer of the institute, the director-general said that the vaccination exercise became imperative considering the devastating effect of HPV in the lives of women.
He said that the exercise in Nasarawa State represented the North -Central zone , saying that NICRAT intends to take the vaccination exercise to secondary schools across the six geo -political zones of the country.
“This programme shows the commitment of the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, to halt cervical cancer, thereby improving the health status of our women.
“The decision of NICRAT to target secondary schools for implementation of this programme is deliberate, considering the number of beneficiaries involved.
“To achieve maximum outcome, we have, therefore, resolved to take the vaccination to all secondary schools across the six geo -political zones in Nigeria in the first phase,” said.
Aliyu further said that the institute would escalate the vaccination exercise to religious centres and market places in order to ensure that girls in all parts of the country were captured.
“Today’s programme is a testament of our commitment to deliver quality healthcare services to Nigerians leveraging the massive of President Bola Tinubu, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali-Pate and Dr Salako Adekunle,” he said.
The DG urged girls in secondary schools in Nasarawa State to present themselves for vaccination in order to prevent them from cervical cancer, and to justify government’s investment to safeguard their health.
In his remarks, Dr Usman Saleh, Executive Secretary, Nasarawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NAPHDA, lauded the Federal Government through the institute for initiative aimed at eliminating cervical cancer.
Saleh noted that the state government was passionate about issues relating to women and children and would always work with relevant bodies to champion the course of their health and wellbeing.
The executive secretary said that the state government would ensure the exercise was incorporated into the school programme in the state.
He urged parents to encourage their girls to take the vaccine saying it’s safe and free.
Also speaking separately, Mrs Beatrice Osi, State Coordinator, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, and Mrs Jessica Philip, Director of Nutrition, Nasarawa State Ministry of Education, urged girls to take the vaccine to prevent cervical cancer.
Osi, expressed the Agency’s commitment to safeguard the live of children in Nigeria, hence the collaboration with NICRAT and guaranteed the safety of the HPV vaccine.
She urged all stakeholders to carry to message to all communities in order to safeguard the lives of girls against cervical cancer.
Philip, on her part, said that the education ministry would work with NICRAT and other stakeholders to ensure the success of the vaccination programme, noting that the target population are in-school girls. (www.krestnews.com).
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