Ogun Govt, Pathfinder International, Others Unite On Effective HPV Vaccination Campaign
The Ogun State Government, a development partner on Health, Pathfinder International and an advocacy working group, Family Health Initiative of Ogun ( FAHIO), have signified readiness to unanimously work towards achieving effective vaccination campaign on Human Pippilomavirus ( HPV) in the state.
This was contained in a release made available by the FAHIO Media Officer, Alhaja Waliyat Odemakin, after a stakeholders’ meeting on HPV Vaccine Advocacy Project, championed by Pathfinder International and FAHIO, held at the State Ministry of Health, Oke- Mosan, Abeokuta.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, while speaking at the meeting, said womenfolks deserved sound health to enable them perform their crucial role in the society, stating that the state government priortised well-being and wellness of its citizens, particularly women and girl child.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health Dr. Kayode Oladehinde, the Commissioner pointed out that HPV vaccine had been proven to be safe and effective in preventing cervical cancer in women, saying successful campaign on the infection requires multi-sectoral involvement of relevant agencies.
Dr. Coker, who commended the efforts of Pathfinder International and FAHIO for the colloaboration, assured them of government’s commitment to achieving the objectives of its project.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Ogun State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola, who affirmed the support of Pathfinder International and FAHIO on reproductive health of women and adolescents in the state, said the project would enable the state to improve on the 75 percent coverage of the previous HPV vaccination.
He said, ”The Board is ready to take up the project, as well as integrate HPV vaccination into Routine Immunization (RI),” seeking the cooperation of line ministries to encourage mothers on the vaccination.
Earlier in his presentation, representative of Pathfinder International, the Senior Communication Officer in the organisation, Mr. Bayo Ewuola, said the HPV Vaccine Advocacy Project is funded by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, with the aim to synergize with the state in ensuring adequate HPV vaccination campaign against cervical cancer.
Mr. Ewuola, added that the organisation wants to ensure integration of HPV vaccination into RI, make it sustainable, build champion network for the project, among others, through strategic and media advocacies, as well as effective partnership and coordination.
On her part, the Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson of FAHIO, Mrs. Oluwakemi Balogun, appreciated the state government for providing enabling environment for partners, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), to contribute their quota to the health system of the state, promising that necessary technical and logistic supports would be mobilised for the project.
In their remarks, representatives of the Ministries of Education, Science and Technology, Women Affairs and Social Development, as well as Health, Mmes. Tosin Idowu, Tomi Adeyeye and Olufunke Adu respectively, lauded the robust health intervention of the partners, pledging to exhibit spirit of teamwork for the success of the project.
