by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
PLATEAU STATE: Plateau State Government has flagged-off vaccination against notorious ‘Human Papilloma Virus’ (HPV), which is said to be a common virus that can affect different parts of the body and anyone can become infected, if they have sex or close skin-to-skin genital contact with partners having the virus.
It has also been discovered that, anyone with the virus can spread it to another partner during intercourse, oral sex, anal sex or by close genital contact. The vaccination is meant for girls between the ages of 9 and 14 years.
Speaking during the flagging-off of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccination at Government House, Little Rayfield Jos, on Monday, the wife of the Plateau State Governor, Barrister Mrs. Helen Mutfwang, stressed the importance of healthy life among all citizens and the commitment of the Plateau State Government to the safety of children as well.
While calling on parents and guardians to avail their children and wards for the exercise, she stressed that, the campaign should get to every nooks and cranny of the state.
As the flagging-off of the vaccine also coincided with the National Children’s Day celebration, Mrs. Helen Mutfwang also appreciated President, Bola Tinubu and the State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, for their support in making the vaccine available.
Speaking earlier, the Secretary of the Plateau State Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Raymond Juryit, said over 70,000 Nigerians die of cancer every year and 14 percent of them died of Cervical Cancer.
According to him, “Recently, it was discovered that cancer develops due to Human Papilloma Virus. Preventing one’s self from contracting human papilloma virus prevents one from cancer.
“Cancer is a deadly disease,” he said, but hopes to achieve 100 percent of vaccination, and assured that with the commitment of the ‘Time is Now’ administration, their desire is to make the vaccine available at Primary Health centres as a routine exercise.
He assured parents that the HPV vaccine is safe and essential step in protecting their daughters from cervical cancer later in life and, that, it is the best defense against HPV-related cancers.
The event also provided an opportunity to educate the students on the importance of vaccine – let them know that the vaccine is crucial as it is a step towards preventing them.
Also, the Commissioners of Health, Dr. Cletus Shurkuk, and that Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Caroline Dafur, and Barrister Olivia Dazyem (who made presentations), were also present.
The “7th Plateau State Children’s Parliament” was inaugurated with Rt. Hon. Gyang Daniella from Barkin Ladi as the Speaker.
The event was organised alongside the National Children’s Day celebration, as children from different schools gathered for the celebration where they performed in dances and participated in Quiz and Debates.