The Nasarawa State Government announce that plans has been concluded to administer vaccine to girls between ages 9-14 years to protect them against cervical and breast cancer.
Dr. Mohammed Addis, Executive Secretary, Nasarawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NAPHDA) made the disclosure at a stakeholders meeting on Thursday in Lafia.
The Executive Chairman was represented at the occasion by Comr. Ismaila Oko, Programme Manager State Emergency Routine Immunisation Coordination Centre.
Dr. Addis explained that Nasarawa State was among the 16 states in the country selected for the first phase of the implementation of the vaccine.
The Executive Chairman explained that the vaccine had been procured already and is currently stored in the state for onward distribution to various centres.
He therefore, commended President Bola Tinubu, Gov. Abdullahi Sule and Dr. Fa’Isal Shua’Ib, Executive Director, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency for their roles toward ensuring the availability of the vaccine in the pilot states.
On his part, Comr. Ismaila Oko, Programme Manager State Emergency Routine Immunisation Coordination Centre, cervical and breast cancer account for about 50 per cent of all cancer related mortality.
“Based on National Demographic Health Survey conducted in 2018, cervical and breast cancer account for about 50 per cent of cancer related mortality.
“And the survey also revealed that out of 10 women diagnosed with cancer, only two are likely to survive at the end of the day,” he added.
The Programme Manager further explained that it was the result of the survey that prompted the Federal Government and other partners to develop a vaccine.
He said that the vaccine would be administer for seven days in all communities at the 13 Local Government Areas of the state.
He therefore explained that their staff would visit houses, schools, worship centres within the period to ensure that the targeted children are all given the vaccine.
Similarly, Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim, Director Health Education and Social Mobilisation at the NAPHDA said the stakeholders meeting was aimed at carrying communities leaders along.
He explained that the community leaders are supposed to help in enlightening the public about the introduction of the new vaccine to protect women against cancer.
He added that the vaccine had passed the clinical examinations and approved by all the relevant agencies at the International and National levels.
He further said that the vaccine was certified and cleared by the relevant authorities and therefore safe to for use.
The meeting which featured questions and answer, had in attendance representatives of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Jama’Atu Nasril Islam (JNI), media, LGAs Coordinators of National Orientation Agency, Heads of Primary Healthcare Centres from the LGAs among others. (NAN).
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