From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
A Non-Governmental Organization, John-Stow International, (JSI) in collaboration with the Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, (KPHDA) has charged practicing journalists in the State to embark on aggressive sensitisation of citizens on Cervical Cancer and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccination against the deadly diseases.
The charge according to the NGO became necessary as Kogi Government is set to flagg-off the vaccination exercise on the 27th of this month.
The NGO in partnership with Kogi government on Tuesday, held a media dialogue on Cervical Cancer and HPV vaccination in Lokoja for selected journalists in the state drawn from Print, Electronic and Online Platforms.
Giving an overview of Human Papilloma Virus, (HPV), Programme partners initiative, the Social Behavioral Change Focal Person for John-Stow International, (JSI) Kannah Terri Ibrahim disclosed that in 2020, over 600,000 Women were affected by cervical cancer worldwide.
“Out of this figure, more than 50 percent lost their lives. Those diagnosed of cervical cancer according to research were Women living in developing Countries like Nigeria” he stated.
Ibrahim emphasized that, the organization is kick starting the second phase of the vaccine in which Kogi State happen to be one of the beneficiary State.
“We started this campaign in 2023. 16 States benefitted from this vaccination campaign and now Kogi State will join other states to benefit. Our target is girls within the ages of 9 to 14 years of age.
“We will be engaging stakeholders such as traditional rulers, religious leaders, schools, out of school girls, community engagement, (hard to reach areas) to ensure effective implementation of this vaccines in Kogi State and Nigeria in general”he added.
According to him, the media plays a vital role in the implementation of the vaccines across the State, stressing that, they will help to counter any misconception concerning the vaccine.
In her presentation on “understanding the cervical cancer disease, burden in Nigeria” a consultant with KSPHCDA, Dr Mary Onoja Alexander disclosed that,
cervical cancer and breast cancer are the most common in Women among development Countries.
Dr Alexander posited that, the intake of the vaccine will help stabilize the immune system to fight the virus in the body.
She averred further that, early vaccination will help in the protection of the girl child against cervical cancer.
“HPV vaccine protects against certain types of cancer caused by human papilloma virus. It works by stimulating the body’s immune system to produce antibodies against the human papilloma virus. When a person receives the vaccine, their immune system recognizes the viral proteins in the vaccine and produces a response that protects against HPV infections”.
