Health

Oyo Govt. Begins HPV vaccines for Girls

By Web News 512

By Olawale Asake

The Oyo State Government has launched the Human Papilloma virus, HPV, Vaccine and ready to be added into Routine Immunization, targeting girls from ages 9 to 14 across the State.

The Executive Secretary, Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Muideen Olatunji made this known while speaking with Newsmen at the Secretariat, Ibadan.

Dr. Olatunji described cervical cancer as one of the most common forms of cancer that affects women, hence, the need to prevent it through vaccination.

The Executive Secretary advised women who had been sexually exposed to ensure they undergo regular cervical cancer screening to prevent the disease, saying, it is a preventable disease.

He maintained that the State Government under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde was committed to providing quality health care delivery to its citizens, irrespective of where they are residing across the State.

Dr Olatunji commended the Federal and State Governments as well as Development Partners like World Health Organisation, WHO, and UNICEF for introducing the HPV vaccine and sensitizing people on the need to receive it, saying the vaccine would protect future generations of Nigerian girls and women against the danger of the disease.

He reassured residents of the State that the vaccine is safe, free and will be available in all primary healthcare facilities across the State in the next few days.

According to him, as against the rumours being pestering by some people, it became pertinent to restate that, the vaccine was not designed to reduce the population of the State, as some people have received it some years back and are doing well without any side effects 

” It is our continued partnership and indeed, collective efforts to protect young girls and women against the prevalence of cervical cancer disease which is a serious and second most fatal cancer that affects women especially females of productive age”.

Dr Olatunji added that, the Agency had trained and retrained those that would be administering the vaccine, which would be given on the Left Upper Arm left with measures put in place to reach every part of Oyo State. 

“We want to make sure no one is left out in this vaccination, for this reason we must utilize the opportunity as critical stakeholders to significantly reduce the prevalence of this disease to protect the lives of our citizens, particularly young girls between the ages of 9 and 14”.

“Though, we are starting from Schools but that does not mean that out of school girls within the ages would not benefit. We are going to find common places like markets, palaces or central areas for them to also partake in the exercise”

He further said that the vaccine has no consequences, but enjoined people to promptly visit Primary Health Care Centre around them if they noticed any reaction.

In a goodwill Message, the UNICEF SBC Consultant, Oyo State, Mr. Gbenga Olatunji pledged the continued support of the Organization to the immunization programme for the overall wellbeing of young girls and women in Oyo State.

Others at the event were Representatives of World Health Organisation, WHO, National Primary Health Care Development Agency while Oyo State Health Educator, Mr. Olaoye Olarinde and State Immunization Officer, Mrs Buzrat Adeoye also attended.

Health

All-round routine immunization immensely important – Experts

By Web News 367

By Fasilat Lawal

Parents and guardians have been advised to ensure all-around routine immunization for their children to guard against preventable diseases.

A consultant  Paediatrician at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, EKSUTH, Ado, Dr Oladele Olatunya gave the advice at A-Day Regional Immunization Champion workshop organized by the Paediatric Association of Nigeria and the International Paediatric Association on Human Papillomavirus Vaccines, HPV, to prevent Cervical Cancer among girls and women in the country held at Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Dr  Olatunya explained that administering vaccines in early age would help to prevent Cervical Cancer and enable the government to focus on other needs of the citizenry rather than on health challenges. 

 The Medical Practitioner called on the participants to key into government policy of newly introduced vaccine at their health facilities and to disseminate facts to people at the grassroots especially the HPV Vaccines for girls from age  9 to 14  in the second phase that would be launched this month. 

In a presentation entitled “Reducing Cases of Cervical Cancer Burden: The Case for HPV Vaccine and Single Dose Strategy,” A Consultant Paediatrician at the Osun State Teaching Hospital, Dr Temitope Ayeni explained that cervical cancer had become a burden causing death among women in Nigeria hence more people should be vaccinated to prevent it. 

Also speaking, the immediate Past President of the Paediatric Association of Nigeria, and a  Professor of Paediatrics at the Ahmadu Bello Teaching Hospital, Zaria,  Olufemi Ogunrinde affirmed that the HPV vaccine is a natural way of preventing cervical cancer among girls, urging them to embrace it. 

In a remark, the Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwasherimi Ajetunmobi who commended the  Paediatric Association of Nigeria for its regular advocacy and leadership in promoting immunization, called on community leaders, policymakers and development partners to collaborate in strengthening the immunization system. 

Some of the participants said the workshop had broadened their knowledge and pledged to raise awareness about the benefits of immunization in preventing childhood diseases towards good health service delivery.

Participants were drawn from Lagos, Oyo, Ondo, Osun Ogun and Ekiti states while the HPV Vaccines will be launched in 21 states including Oyo State this month 

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Religion

Covid Vaccines: NOA Urges Religious Leaders to Sensitize Faithful

By Web News 530


National Orientation Agency, NOA in Oyo state has called on religious leaders to sensitize their followers on the need to be vaccinated against COVID 19 when the vaccines are made available in the state.
The state director of the Agency, Mr Moshood Olaleye said this during a visit to some places of worship in Ibadan metropolis.
At some of the places of worship visited,Mr Olaleye alongside some officials of the Agency, enjoined religious leaders to support the government in the fight against COVID 19 by admonishing their followers about the benefits of COVID 19 vaccines.
The state NOA boss said COVID 19 vaccine has been certified for human usage by the World Health Organization, WHO, and there had been no negative reports from those who had been vaccinated against COVID 19.
Mr Olaleye who commended religious leaders in Oyo state for complying with COVID 19 Protocols during services, reiterated that there was no medicine for the cure of the virus.
In their separate contributions, the Chief Imam of Ibadan, Sheik Abdulganiyu Agbotomokekere and Pastor Peter Oloyede of Christ Foundation Victory Life Mission, Bashorun, Ibadan, assured the Agency of their total commitment to the fight against Covid-19.


Mr Olaleye at the end of the visit, presented letters on the importance of COVID 19 vaccines written by the Director General of National Orientation Agency, Dr. Garba Abari to the religious leaders.
Some places of worship visited included Christ Foundation Victory Life Mission, Bashorun, NASFAT center, Iwo Road and Christ Apostolic Church, CAC, Yemetu.
Olaolu Fawole

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