HPV VACCINE INTENSIFICATION: ASPHCDA HOLDS STAKEHOLDERS ENGAGEMENT MEETING

By Nnedinma Okeke :

In a bid to intensifying the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination exercise in the State, the Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA) in collaboration with State Ministry of Health (SMOH), and Partners has held a one day Stakeholders Engagement meeting.

The meeting held in Awka had in attendance; PHC Directors, Social Mobilization Officers (SMOs), Traditional Rulers, Religious leaders, President General’s, Youths, and Women Group Leaders, Representatives of Education Ministry and ASUBEB, Representatives of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and the Media, among other key stakeholders.

The overall aim of the meeting was review of implementation of the HPV vaccine across the state and planning for the upcoming HPV vaccine intensification.

Its specific objectives includes; sharing lessons learned from the HPV vaccine introduction, review progress/challenges and best practices for HPV vaccination in Anambra State, and engage expanded partners to garner insights and recommendations on improving HPV vaccine coverage as well as share update on the proposed targeted intensification exercise.

The Executive Secretary, ASPHCDA, Pharm Chisom Uchem represented by the Director Disease Control and Immunization Department, ASPHCDA, Dr Nnamdi Placid Uliagbafusi noted that the intensification exercise was being sponsored by the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI).

She explained that the HPV vaccination was to aid curb the menace of cancer which comes with a lot of financial obligations, stress and pain to both the patients and their families.

“The Human Papilloma Virus has taken lives of many people in the country including prominent people, and this is the reason why the vaccination is important as it will aid prevent the virus from causing harm to an infected person.”

According to the ES, diseases prevention save lives, among a host of other things which includes saving from economic loss which the illness may cause.

She urged the Stakeholders to be Ambassadors and help spread the message at the grassroots as Government and Partners aim was to save lives and for the people to enjoy benefits of vaccination.

CHAI Technical Assistant, Mr Patrick Akpan explained that globally, vaccination against HPV has been proven to be a highly effective method of preventing HPV infections and subsequent cervical cancer.

“The introduction of the HPV vaccine can significantly reduce the incidence of cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases,” he said.

He noted that in Nigeria, the Routinization of the HPV vaccine is particularly crucial due to the high burden of cervical cancer and the limitations of secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities to manage and treat advanced cancer cases effectively.

Mr Obinna Ezem, CHAI Technical Assistant, noted the Anambra HPV vaccine intensification which would commence from 3rd to 7th December 2024 was targeted at three Local Government Areas (LGAs) namely; Aguata, Idemili North and Orumba North LGAs respectively.

He noted that the essence was to improve HPV vaccination uptake in a 5-day intensification exercise, to strengthen Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilization (ACSM) activities in the identified LGAs toward improving HPV vaccine uptake, and to vaccinate eligible girls yet to be vaccinated.

“Strategy to be used includes: leveraging fixed post and outreach programs to intensify HPV vaccine efforts, target LGAs with the highest unvaccinated adolescent girls, and engaging existing state structures for targeted mobilization,” Mr Ezem explained.

He noted the project scope to include; Anambra, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, Niger, Ondo, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Yobe, Kano, Nasarawa, Bauchi and Lagos States respectively.

Traditional Rulers present at the meeting were: Traditional Ruler of Uke and Paramount Traditional Ruler of Idemili North, His Royal Highness – Igwe Charles Agbala, Traditional Ruler of Ndiokpalaeze in Orumba North LGA His Royal Highness of – Eze F C Okoli, and Traditional Ruler of Uga Aguata LGA, His Royal Highness, Igwe C S Ezenwugo.

*Nnedinma is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State