WHO, Yobe To Vaccinate 350,000 Girls Against Cervical Cancer
The World Health Organization (WHO), with funding from Canada’s Global Initiative for Vaccine Equity (CANGive), has partnered with the Yobe State Government to vaccinate 350,000 girls aged 9-14 against cervical cancer across the state’s 17 local government areas.
The HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccination campaign was launched at the Government Girls College in Damaturu. HPV is identified as a high-risk factor in 95% of cervical cancer cases.
Dr Alhassan Hamisu Dama, the State Coordinator for WHO’s Yobe Field Office, said the organization will spend over $50,000 to support Yobe State in successfully conducting the campaign.
He explained that 365 school and community teams will vaccinate girls both in schools and out-of-school camps over the next five days.
Dr Dama said cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among young women aged 15-19 in Nigeria, contributing to an estimated 12,075 new cases globally each year.
Dr Babagana Kundi Machina, the Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Primary Health Care Board, stated that the state will utilize 565 teams stationed at health facilities, schools, and communities.
