An advocacy working group, Family Health Initiative Ogun (FAHIO), has intensified efforts to ensure that members of the public have understanding and derivable benefits of vaccinating girl child against Human Pipillomavirus (HPV), the virus that causes cervical cancer in women.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the group at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the state capital, FAHIO Secretary, Revd. Olajide Odugbemi emphasised the need for all and sundry to join hands with government on HPV vaccination of girl child within ages nine to 14, against cervical cancer.
”FAHIO is co-opting representatives of relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), traditional, community and religious leaders in the state, to create public awareness on the importance of HPV vaccination, and encourage girls of age nine on its uptake, which is free of charge in government health facilities,” Odugbemi said.
The HPV introduction campaign was done in Ogun in 2023, with 70 percent coverage, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola, the Executive Secretary, Ogun State Primary Healthcare Board, disclosed, noting that it was in a bid to increase the coverage area that the State included HPV vaccination in the Routine Immunization schedule for easy accessibility.
Affirming the safety, potency and effectiveness of HPV vaccine, Dr. Ogunsola reiterated the commitment of the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led Ogun State government to protecting the future generations against vaccine preventable diseases.
”Apart from what FAHIO is doing now, the Board will explore all avenues by engaging Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), religious leaders in churches, mosques and communities, to ensure that the target population of age nine is vaccinated,” Ogunsola said
On his part, the state Consultant, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Dr. Pita Obam, warned that HPV is sexually transmitted and associated with cervical cancer, advocating timely vaccination to provide immunity for girl child between ages 9 and 14 before exposure to the virus.
He advised the people, particularly parents and guardians to disregard the myths and misconceptions about HPV vaccination and embrace it for the safety of their daughters, whether now or in the future.
In their remarks, representatives of the Civil Society Organization, Mr. Olufemi Olusola and the state Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mrs. Tosin Idowu pledged their support towards achieving a free cervical cancer society.
