Chinedum Treasure
Wife of Anambra State governor, Dr Nonye Soludo on Tuesday assured that cervical cancer would soon become history in the state through introduction of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine targeted at protecting girls and future leaders from the disease.
She said no husband would become wifeless nor any child rendered motherles in the state as a result of cervical cancer.
Speaking in Aguleri, Anambra East LGA at the launch of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine, governor’s wife regretted that cervical cancer as a societal scourge is fast becoming one of the leading causes of deaths among women.
According to her, cervical cancer silently manifests in about 12,000 women and takes the lives of 8000 promising women in Nigeria annually.
“This disease destroys the lives of these women taking them away from their families just as they reach the prime of their lives, leaving husbands without wives, children without mothers and families in financial ruins.
“The women of our future generation no longer have to wait and hope that “cervical cancer will not be their portion.
“Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccine is here to provide lasting protection for our girl child aged 9-14 years before they get exposed to the virus that is the primary cause of Cervical Cancer!
“Cervical cancer is going to become a thing of the past in Anambra state! With this Gardasil4 HPV vaccine, we will protect our girls and future leaders from this disease.
“In my capacity as the first lady of Anambra state through the healthy living initiative, we are already offering free cervical cancer screening and treatment at some health facilities in Anambra state to provide early detection, screening and treatment for the wives and daughters of Ndi Anambra.
“Let us come out enmasse and get ourselves and our daughters 25years and above screened to know our health status.
Ndi Anambra, something great is happening in our state.
“I want to use this opportunity to appreciate the efforts of the state government who through the Ministry of Health and the Anambra State Primary Health care development Agency (ASPHCDA) and Partners, WHO, UNICEF, Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), IVAC and SAWO are supporting our efforts by taking our home-grown campaign of healthy living to the next level.
While encouraging residents to take advantage of the opportunity to get themselves and their daughters from 25years and above screened to ascertain their health status, Mrs Soludo urged traditional rulers and religious leaders to pass the good news to their congregants and subjects.
Southeast Zonal Coordinator, World Health Organisation, Dr Chukwumuanya Igboekwu said Africa had the highest burden of cervical cancer in the world.
He however noted that government was introducing HPV vaccine into routine immunisation as one the strategies to reduce the burden.
Chairman House Committee on Health at the State Assembly, Mr Anthony Muobike adviced parents to encourage their girl-child to get vaccinated.
Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike urged residents to support Governor Chukwuma Soludo-led administration as he strives to safeguard the health and well-being of residents.
Executive Secretary, ASPHCDA, Mrs Chisom Uchem described HPV as the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract which causes more than 95 per cent of cases of cervical cancer.
“HPV vaccine which will be provided in schools, within community and in health facilities over the next few days. Together, we can eliminate cervical cancer in Anambra state and Nigeria,” she said.
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