By Lizzy Carr
The Bauchi State Government flagged off a campaign for the introduction of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine targeting girls aged 9-14 years.
The HPV vaccination is to prevent cervical cancer among women of reproductive age.
Governor Bala Mohammad who flagged off the exercise Tuesday at Government Comprehensive Secondary School Bakari Dukku, expressed optimism that the HPV vaccine would reduce the burden of cancer in the state.
Mohammed said his administration, in collaboration with Development Partners has put measures in place for the mass vaccination of female children aged 9-14 years across the 20 Local Government Areas in the State against the disease
He further said that the exercise would take place at all health facilities, public and private schools, marketplaces, social gatherings, religious places, and communities.
“I call on parents, caregivers, school proprietors and managers, headmasters and principals of government, private and faith-based schools to avail their children and students of the rare opportunity to receive the very important vaccine.”
State Commissioner of Health, Dr Adamu Sambo said that the introduction of the Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine is a rare privilege that will reduce the chances and burden of cervical cancer.
He stressed that the Bauchi State Government is ready to support any public health intervention aimed at strengthening the health system, especially improving the lives and well-being of women and children.
“Importantly, the State Government has prioritized the health sector as one of the key critical areas of intervention.”
Sambo said the government is making efforts to introduce the State Emergency Transport System and Ambulance services that will facilitate easy transportation of patients in both urban and hard-to-reach communities in the State.
“As a Ministry, we will ensure good policy formulation for improved health services across both primary and secondary health facilities
where robust coordination, and sector approaches in all our health agencies and institutions are enhanced at all levels.”
The commissioner stated that the significance of the day cannot be overemphasized going by the statistics of cases of cervical cancer in the world.
Executive Chairman of Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (BASPHCDA), Dr Rilwanu Mohammed said symptoms to watch out for in cervical cancer include blood spots or light bleeding between or following periods, menstrual bleeding that is longer and heavier than usual.
Other symptoms are bleeding after intercourse, douching, or a pelvic examination and increased vaginal discharge as well as pain during sexual intercourse or bleeding after menopause.
Mohammed then acknowledged the untiring efforts and support of the development partners particularly W.H.O., UNICEF as well as Clinton Health Initiative, which they rendered right from the micro-planning period, pre-implementation, and the financial and technical support to the state
