Edo rallies stakeholders to boost HPV vaccination, tackle cervical cancer

BENIN CITY — The Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, in collaboration with the Youth Advocate for the Youth Initiative for Enhancing Long Term Delivery of HPV Vaccine, supported by IVAC-DCL (International Vaccine Access Centre & Direct Consulting and Logistics) has organised a town hall meeting in Benin City to raise awareness about Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection, cervical cancer, and the importance of HPV vaccination.

The meeting, attended by key stakeholders including religious leaders, market women, and non-governmental organisations, was held at the Ugbekun Health Centre in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

The session provided an avenue for stakeholders to deliberate on challenges affecting HPV vaccine uptake, while addressing community misconceptions and concerns surrounding the vaccine.

Participants were urged not only to serve as ambassadors but also to mobilise their communities, families, and friends to actively support and promote HPV vaccination.

Community stakeholders also made public commitments to sustain advocacy efforts aimed at increasing vaccine acceptance.

The Chairman of Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, Hon. Eric Osawaru, represented by Jeff Scott Emuakpo, commended the state government for organising the awareness programme.

He reaffirmed the council’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote preventive healthcare, particularly among vulnerable groups.

In her remarks, the wife of the council chairman, Mrs Onome Osawaru, pledged that her office would intensify awareness campaigns to ensure the HPV vaccine reaches all parts of the local government.

The State Immunisation Officer, Mrs Omogun Elfrida, noted that HPV vaccination remains the only effective means of preventing cervical cancer.

Similarly, the State Health Educator, Mrs Irene Uabor, stressed the need to sustain advocacy campaigns to encourage widespread acceptance of the vaccine.

An official of the Youth Advocate for the Youth Initiative for Enhancing Long Term Delivery of HPV Vaccine, Enwezor MacLean, explained that all sexually active individuals are at risk of HPV infection, adding that the vaccine offers long-term protection. He further observed that resistance to vaccination is not unique to Nigeria but a global phenomenon.

However, he said there is need for stakeholders to advocate for vaccine demand and uptake in the state.