HPV Vaccine: Governor’s wives advocate political will, global cooperation

Wives of state Governors have called for more political will, implementation of policies, and global cooperation in improving access to Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccines for prevention of cervical cancer and quality cancer care services in the country.

HPV are vaccines that prevent infection by certain types of human papillomavirus and it helps to protect one against certain types of HPV that can lead to cancer or genital warts.

The coalition, represented by Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, Chairperson, First Ladies Against Cancer (FLAC), made the appeal in a statement in Abuja on Monday, while commemorating the first year of the Global Strategy to Accelerate the Elimination of Cervical Cancer.

Shinkafi-Bagudu, who is also the First Lady of Kebbi State and Founder/CEO Medicaid Cancer Foundation, revealed that cervical cancer is among the two most common cancer in Nigeria with about 12,075 new cases recorded annually which could be prevented with HPV vaccination.

She however said the vaccine should be made accessible to every Nigerian, particularly adolescent girls.

“We call on global and national actors critical to delivering cervical cancer elimination to borrow from the positives of the COVID-19 pandemic response.

“When words translate into urgent actions, we have favorable outcomes.

“Accelerating the elimination of cervical cancer requires greater political will and global cooperation that will prioritize improved access to HPV vaccines for low and middle-income countries,” she said.

While commending the commitment of all cervical cancer advocates in Nigeria, the group urged them to achieve 90 percent HPV vaccination coverage, 70 percent screening coverage, and 90 percent access to treatment for cervical pre-cancer and cancer by the year 2030.

“In Nigeria, cervical cancer is the third most common form of cancer and second most common among women. It accounted for 9.7 percent of all malignancies in 2020, recording an estimated 12,075 new cases and
7,968 deaths annually.

“These numbers tell the unfortunate reality of cervical cancer in Nigeria and most African countries, cancer that is largely preventable, treatable, and can be eliminated,” she said.

She also recommended that HPV vaccines should be available on the nation’s routine immunization schedule.

“Global supply chain challenges and inequalities of access have deferred this critical milestone in our elimination roadmap.

“It remains painfully unacceptable that millions of Nigerians and African adolescent girls do not have access to HPV vaccination through our primary healthcare structures.

“We must place a demand on the pharmaceutical industry, WHO, policymakers in high-income countries, and the African Union to prioritize our girls and address the drivers of this inequity,” she said.

According to her, FLAC will be launching the “FLAC Vaccine Access Programme” on Nov. 17 across all the states and hold town hall meetings to increase awareness, drive demand, and most of all provide access to HPV vaccines in states.

“Our vaccine access programme will catalyze access to HPV vaccine for families that can afford out-of-pocket payment in the immediate term.

“And at the same time, advocating for the inclusion of HPV vaccine into routine immunization to cater for those that can’t afford the out-of-pocket payment.”

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She assured that FLAC would continue to pay close attention to the implementation of the global strategy, offering their support to bring about the desired outcomes in Nigeria.

FLAC comprises spouses of current and former state governors of Nigeria working to improve quality cancer care services in the country. (NAN)