An appeal has been made to parents to embrace and demand for the Human Papiloma Virus, HPV vaccines for young girls to avoid cervical cancer which kills over 8000 girls every year in Nigeria.
The appeal was made by Dr. Omosigho Igwu, during a symposium organized by the Institute of Child Health, University of Benin, UNIBEN/University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH in conjunction with the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, Edo State Chapter to commemorate the World Malaria Day and World Immunization week
According to Dr. Ugwu in his lecture titled, Saving the woman in her girlhood: the need for HPV vaccine, all girls eligible to take the vaccine should be vaccinated before they begin sexual activity.
“The disease which is transmitted through sexual intercourse, when not treated leads to Cervical Cancer which is the second cause of death in women and now a severe burden in Nigeria. The vaccine is very safe and gives far better prevention,” he noted.
The Director of the Institute of Child Health, Prof. Ayebo Sadoh in her lecture titled, celebrating 50 years of Essential Programme on Immunization, EPI: Childhood Immunization, the past, present and the future, took a historical journey of vaccines and the benefits.
While noting that vaccines work and saves lives, Prof. Sadoh advised on the need to spread the information about the use of vaccines to avoid disease outbreak.
Also, Dr. Mbarie who stressed on the importance of ensuring that everything is done to expedite the use of vaccines, while speaking on the role of Malaria vaccines, said malaria can be prevented, but the combination therapy should be used for treatment.
On the second day, gifts were presented to immunization heroes on behalf of the Institute and the Medical women’s Association of Nigeria and lectures were delivered on the benefits of Immunization and introduction of HPV to the children and mothers present.
Amongst dignitaries that graced the symposium are Prof. Vivian Omuemu, Deputy Provost, College of Medical Sciences who was the chairman of the occasion, Prof. Oviawe and Dr. Mary Ehimigbai, President elect Medical Women Association, Edo State Chapter