The Kaduna State government is set to commence a Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign at the end of this month to vaccinate girls aged nine to fourteen against the virus, which is a leading cause of cervical cancer among them.
The Executive Secretary, Kaduna State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr Bello Jamo stated this during the 14th African Vaccination Week Celebration organised by the Board in collaboration with Save the Children International held in Kaduna.
Represented by the Director Disease Control and Immunisation, Alhaji Hamza Ibrahim Ikara said Kaduna State is achieving progress in the area of immunisation due to the commitment of government and development partners in the area of health.
Dr Jamo noted that, Kaduna State has achieved more than eighty percent in its routine immunisation, Saying that over 1600 Health care facilities are on ground providing routine immunisation services across the state.
He explained that, as a result of Kaduna State performance, it has received best performing award in the area of immunisation in the North West zone last year.
According him, African Vaccination Week is an annual event commemorated in every last week of April to create awareness to the general public on the importance of immunisation in Africa.
Dr Bello Jamo further stated that, the goal of the week was to strengthen immunization programme
in the African Region by increasing awareness on the importance of every
person’s particularly children to be
vaccinated against -preventable diseases.
The Executive Secretary pointed out that, the theme for this year is Humanly Possible, draws stakeholders attention on the need to raise awareness about the critical importance of full immunization and its role in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
According to him, the board has concluded arrangement to immunize children in the settlements that are facing security challenges with the support of critical stakeholders such as security agencies, youth groups, Religion and Traditional leaders among others.
He reaffirm the board commitment to immunize all children across the state free of charge.
Dr Bello Jamo commended all the development partners and journalist who contributing towards the success of their activities.
Also Speaking, Dr Abdullahi Musa, the incident Manager, Kaduna State Primary Healthcare Board in his presentation on the overview of Human PapillomaVirus Vaccine said it was a National Programme being conducted in phases.
Dr Musa said Human PapillomaVirus Vaccine would help toward preventing girls from having Cervical cancer.
The event had brought together some critical stakeholders in the health sector while other participants advocated for the recruitment of more health personnel in the primary health care.
Cov/Aminu Maza
