By Suleiman Adamu, Sokoto
Hajiya Fatima Ahmed Aliyu
Sokoto , wife of the state governor has reiterated the call on women to support the state government and donor agencies on all health related programmes.
Hajiya Fatima made the call while flagging off the Human Papilloma Virus Vaccination campaign on Thursday in the state.
Represented by Dr Hadiza Tori, the Chief Medical Director, Maryam Abacha Women and Children hospital Sokoto, the state First Lady described the HPV as deadly virus that could cause cervical cancer with severity that can lead to death among women and girls.
While noting that the vaccine was for the first time free and accessible in Nigeria, Hajiya Fatima sought the urgent need for women and girls in communities to key in and access the vaccine against the spread of cervical cancer in the country.
” Governments at all levels should strengthen efforts and encourage active collaboration against the spread of cervical cancer especially at community levels “, She urged while assuring her readiness to pilot the course of improving healthcare delivery services for the safety of women and children in the state and Nigeria as a whole.
In his remarks Special adviser to the Governor on Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Bello Garba Manager acknowledged and appreciated the governor’s untiring commitment to the success of health related activities of the agency and the state health sector.
However, Dr Larai Aliyu Tambuwal ,Executive Secretary of the Sokoto State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, identified breast and cervical cancer as most leading women health issues causing death among women worldwide.
” But in Nigeria, cervical cancer tops the list with thousands of women dying annually from the disease wich is preventable through HPV vaccine”, She pointed out while admonishing mothers to debunk rumours against the campaign and present their children from 9-14 years for the vaccination as her two biological daughters received their shots.
Dr. Tambuwal further expressed delight for the roles and support of traditional leaders, Ulamas and all the donor agencies in the state.
Present at the Flag off were representatives of National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, WHO, UNICEF, Bill and Millinda Gates Foundation, SOLINA, CDC Afenet. ACASSUS, CHAI & Rotary International among others.
