Ogun State Government has called on school administrators and health teachers across the state to intensify efforts in educating learners on the benefits of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine as a key measure in preventing cervical cancer.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker made the call during a sensitisation follow-up meeting on Routine Immunization and HPV vaccines with school heads health teachers from the state’s Local Government Areas, held in Abeokuta.
The meeting according to a statement
by the Media Officer, Family Health Initiative Ogun (FAHIO), Mrs. Waliyat Odemakin, was organised by the Ogun State Primary Health Care Development Board (OGPHECADEB) in collaboration with FAHIO, with support from Pathfinder International.
The Commissioner described HPV vaccination as the most effective strategy for eliminating cervical cancer, stressing that the roles of school authorities and health teachers are critical to increasing awareness, building public confidence, and improving vaccine acceptance among parents and learners.
She noted that Ogun State has recorded significant improvement in HPV vaccination coverage in recent times, adding that stakeholders must sustain the momentum to ensure that all eligible nine-year-old girls are vaccinated.
Dr. Coker reaffirmed that the HPV vaccine is free, safe, and highly effective, implored members of the public to disregard myths and misconceptions surrounding the vaccine and embrace it as a life-saving preventive intervention.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of OGPHECADEB, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola called on school heads to prioritise discussions on HPV vaccination during Parents-Teachers Forum meetings and other school engagements, advising health teachers to maintain close collaboration with the nearest Primary Health Care Centres to obtain accurate information and provide appropriate guidance to learners and parents.
In her remarks, the Chairperson FAHIO, Mrs. Oluwakemi Balogun, commended the dedication of health teachers in promoting healthy behaviours among learners through health education and counselling, encouraging them to continue supporting government efforts by championing awareness and acceptance of HPV vaccination within their schools and communities.
Also speaking, the State Coordinator of Pathfinder International, Mr. Emah Udeme, described HPV vaccination as a proven preventive medical intervention against cervical cancer, urging school heads and health teachers to leverage school assemblies, classroom engagements, and other educational platforms to disseminate accurate information on the vaccine, announce government health interventions, and serve as advocates for improved community health.
Goodwill messages and technical presentations were delivered by the State Consultant, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Solape Folarin; the Director of Disease Control and Immunisation, Dr. Lekan Oke; State Immunization Officer, Dr. Surajudeen Olayinka, Reproductive Health Coordinator, Dr. Temitope Oluwadare; and a representative of the State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mrs. Oyin Idowu , among other stakeholders.
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