The wife of Abia Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, has said that adopting a multi-faceted approach to tackling cervical cancer remains the most effective strategy to reduce the disease.
Otti said this in a statement signed by her in commemoration of the 2023 Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action with the theme “Ending Cervical Cancer Within a Few Generations” on Friday in Umuahia.
She described cervical cancer as a serious health concern that significantly jeopardizes women’s health, which prompted the state government to take decisive action to eliminate the disease.
The governor’s wife said the government had introduced initiatives such as regular screening, vaccination, advocacy for gender equality, and awareness about the prevention of the disease.
She added that these crucial steps would play vital roles toward reducing its impact on women’s health and tackling the disease.
She said, “With support from pertinent health organizations, including the federal ministry of Health, we strategically launched the HPV vaccine, targeting girls aged nine to 14 years due to data indicating the onset of sexual activity within this age range.
“The deliberate introduction of the HPV vaccine aligns with global efforts to tackle cervical cancer early, adopting the ‘catching them young’ strategy.
“This underscores our commitment to implementing best practices to counter this widespread health challenge.
“As we work toward this goal, we are inspired by the theme for this year: “Ending Cervical Cancer Within a Few Generations,” Otti added.
The Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action is a WHO celebration marked on Nov. 17 annually.
