Wife of C'River Governor Flags off Free HPV Vaccination in Calabar
Hannah ARIKPO
The wife of Cross River Governor, Rev. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu has flagged off a free Human Papilloma virus - HPV campaign for girls between the ages of six to fourteen years in collaboration with the Pink Africa Foundation.
The HPV vaccine offers a long term protection against Cervical Cancer and reduces the risk of the virus by about ninety percent in women.
Flagging off the exercise at the Asi-Ukpo diagnostic center Calabar, the Governor's Wife who was represented by the SSA admin, Dr. Mrs Comfort Oko, emphasized the state government's resolve to take significant steps to safeguard the health of young girls against Cervical Cancer which is the leading cause of death of thousands of women worldwide.
" We are taking a significant step towards preventing cervical cancer and ensuring a brighter future for our daughters", Rev. Otu explained.
Describing cervical cancer as a silent killer often detected at an advanced stage, the Governor's Wife was optimistic that the immunization of girls at an early age will break the cycle of the devastating illness.
" To the girls we are targeting this campaign, I want you to know that you are our pride and joy. Your health and well - being is our top priority. By getting vaccinated, you are taking control of your future, ensuring that you have every opportunity to fulfill your dreams and aspirations", she encouraged.
Speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Egbe Ayuk identified the mode of transmission of the virus as unsafe sexual activities like sex and kissing and advised the organisers to include sex education in future interventions.
"There is need for Parents, guardians, counselors to utilize every opportunity to advise their children especially teenagers to always abstain from sex", Ayuk advised.
Earlier, the President Pink Africa Foundation, Dr. Nchiewe Elemi Ani, remarked that the introduction of the HPV vaccine is not just a medical advancement but a beacon of hope for the female folk that might be spared from pain and loss.
"With over nineth-five percent of cervical cancer cases caused by the HPV, this vaccine is a significant leap towards a future where our children and future women are shielded from this deadly disease", she assured.
HPV Vaccine being administered
Highpoint of the flag off was the vaccination of twelve years Enare - Obase Paulinus, a JSS student of Anchilla Girls College, Calabar who took the first dose of the free HPV vaccine.
