Bauchi Government Launches HPV Vaccine, Target Over 400,000 Girls
Representative of Bauchi State Governor and Secretary to the State Government, Ibrahim Kashim, launching that vaccination exercise at Bakari Dukku primary school in Bauchi metropolis. Photo: Murtala Muhammad
By Murtala Muhammad
Bauchi State Government has launched the statewide vaccination against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) targeting over four hundred thousand girls of nine to fourteen years old.
Launching the exercise at Bakari Dukku Primary School in Bauchi metropolis, the State Governor Bala Mohammed assured his administration’s commitment to protect the young girls against the deadly HPV.
Governor Bala Mohammed said the management of cervical cancer in Nigeria costs an individual about ₦30,000 for diagnosis, about ₦500,000 for surgery and ₦600,000 for radiotherapy, while the cost of drugs may reach up to ₦2.4 million.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Ibrahim Kashim, the Governor urged parents to bring forward their nine to fourteen year old female children to be vaccinated against HPV.
The Executive Chairman of the State Primary Development Agency, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed said that the vaccination exercise is being administered in public schools and health facilities as single dose to avoid any controversy.
North East Coordinator of the World Health Organisation, WHO, Dr Jalal Saleh argued that cervical cancer was not just a health issues, but a matter of social justice, equity and human rights.
Dr Saleh said Human Papilloma Virus affects both men and women, noting that it was the leading cause of cervical cancer which can only be prevented through vaccination.
The Chief of UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Mr. Clement Adams assured people of the state the vaccine would be delivered to the target population and pledged continued support towards improving health status of people in the state.
Radio Nigeria learned that the Bauchi State Government procured four hundred and forty thousand doses of the HPV vaccine from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).
