As part of measures to prevent the scourge of cervical cancer in Ekiti State, the government is set to begin the vaccination of female children beginning from May this year.
To this end, a technical working group has been inaugurated to begin the necessary planning that would make the vaccination a success.
Inaugurating the group in Ado Ekiti, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, read out the terms and conditions which include “Mapping all relevant HPV stakeholders (EPI and Non-EPI), Provide coordination, management, and planning for all stakeholders meeting through the introduction, monitor and track the release of funding for the HPV rollout at the state, review the budget requirements for the pre-introduction and introduction activities, and monitor the timely disbursement of these funds to the lowest level.
Others are to provide overall guidance in the smooth running of the operations rooms during the introduction of the HPV vaccine, which includes early identification and proffer solutions to mitigate challenges during the HPVV introduction process. The team may make use of electronic communications through a group email to facilitate information sharing among all members between formal meetings.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Mrs. Olusola Gbenga-Igotun, the commissioner said the vaccine had been proven to be healthy and safe, urging parents to allow their children to take the vaccine.
He said the vaccine would be given to female children between the ages of nine and fourteen, while other age groups would be captured later.
Other stakeholders who spoke on the occasion, including clerics, market women, and CSOs, commended the government for the proper planning ahead of the vaccination and urged members of the public to embrace it.
