Healthcare Workers Urge Parents to Vaccinate Children Against HPV in Wamba LGA
Healthcare workers in the Wamba Local Government Area (LGA) of Nasarawa State have launched a strong campaign urging parents and guardians to ensure their children and wards receive the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine. This initiative aims to protect young girls from developing cervical cancer later in life, a major health concern in the region.
The call to action was made during a Champions Community Outreach event held in the Angwan Yasanda community of Wamba on Friday. The Immunisation Officer in the LGA, Ramatu Sanda, spoke on behalf of the healthcare team, emphasizing the importance of the vaccination program. She highlighted that the outreach, organized by Pathfinder International, Nigeria, is designed to encourage widespread participation among girls aged 9 to 14, ensuring long-term health benefits for them.
Sanda explained that HPV is one of the most common viral infections affecting the reproductive tract, primarily transmitted through sexual contact. It is also one of the leading causes of cancer in the country. She noted that many individuals become infected with HPV shortly after becoming sexually active, underscoring the need for early intervention and education.
To address this issue, Sanda called for more effective grassroots awareness campaigns. She expressed her appreciation for Pathfinder International’s efforts in launching the initiative, which focuses on protecting girls between the ages of 9 and 14 in the Wamba LGA from cervical cancer. She added that the healthcare team will conduct intensive mobilization efforts across all facilities in the area to ensure every eligible girl receives the vaccine.
In addition to outreach activities, the team plans to hold compound meetings with parents and caregivers to educate them about the significance of the HPV vaccine. These sessions aim to encourage families to allow their children to be vaccinated, regardless of their proximity to healthcare facilities.
Sanda also emphasized that the HPV vaccine is free, safe, and highly effective. She urged parents and guardians to make every effort to access the vaccination at government healthcare facilities within the LGA.
Importance of the HPV Vaccine
Bayo Ewuola, Senior Media and Communications Officer at Pathfinder International, Nigeria, elaborated on the benefits of the HPV vaccine. He stated that receiving the vaccine offers protection against cervical, throat, and other forms of HPV-related cancers. Ewuola pointed out that HPV is one of the most common causes of cancer in women globally and that vaccination has proven to be an effective way to prevent these cases.
He stressed the importance of vaccinating girls at a young age when they are less likely to have been exposed to the virus. “We want to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer, and for us to do that, we need to take it from the roots,” he said. “That is why we are vaccinating girls when they are still very young.”
Ewuola further highlighted the commitment of Pathfinder International to reaching every community in the state. “We want communities, no matter where people live, to be healthy. We know that health is wealth. And for us to ensure that this is done, we are going to every community one after the other to vaccinate girls,” he added.
Support from Local Leaders
Halima Yahaya Mohammed, the Education Secretary of Wamba and an HPV champion in the LGA, also shared her support for the initiative. She thanked all the dignitaries who attended the outreach event despite their busy schedules. She reiterated the Education sector’s commitment to the success of the HPV vaccination campaign in the area.
The efforts of the HPV champions, who were recently inaugurated across the 13 LGAs of Nasarawa State, were also recognized. Their role in promoting the campaign and encouraging community participation has been crucial in driving awareness and acceptance of the vaccine.
Through these collective efforts, the goal is to create a healthier future for young girls in the region and significantly reduce the prevalence of cervical cancer.