Afrigather Abuja ‒ Adenike Olayemi says Nigeria’s cervical most cancers screening programme saved her life: “I can not think about what may have occurred if I had not carried out the screening and gone for therapy.”
Olayemi, 43, who lives in Ondo State, was amongst 667 ladies who examined constructive for the human papillomavirus (HPV) and underwent therapy to avert cervical most cancers throughout a marketing campaign in 2023, funded by the Susan Thompson Buffet Basis and supported by World Well being Group (WHO) within the African Area.
The assist to 5 states, Anambra, Ondo, Kebbi, Niger and Ekiti, enabled routine cervical most cancers secondary prevention companies throughout main healthcare services, benefiting 21 851 ladies. They underwent visible inspections with acetic acid (VAI), a easy, secure and cost-effective various to a pap smear. Utilizing VIA a well being employee conducts a visible examination of the cervix to detect precursors of cervical most cancers following the appliance of acetic acid.
Pap smears are efficient instruments to detect irregular cells earlier than they progress to most cancers, however entry to this service is proscribed, particularly for susceptible ladies dwelling in distant rural areas.
Ilemobayo Wuraola, a nurse on the household planning clinic at Arakale Well being Centre in Akure, in Ondo State, says: “The programme supplied by the federal government and its companions at main well being clinics has enlightened many individuals about cervical most cancers, and introduced livesaving companies nearer to the individuals.”
Consistent with the International Technique to remove cervical most cancers by 2030, WHO, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and companions, in collaboration with the Authorities of Nigeria, developed and carried out a multi-pronged prevention technique to guard the lives of women and girls from the lethal illness. This consists of the rollout of a mass HPV vaccination marketing campaign focusing on women aged 9 to 14 years to obtain a single dose of the vaccine in 16 states.
Between October 2023 and January 2024, 4.95 million women had been vaccinated in opposition to HPV.
Cervical most cancers is among the most typical cancers amongst ladies globally, with HPV accountable for almost all instances. HPV is a sexually transmitted an infection, with almost each sexually lively particular person prone to publicity. Whereas many HPV infections clear up naturally, sure strains can result in cervical, anal, oropharyngeal and different cancers, if left untreated.
Cervical most cancers is preventable via the HPV vaccine, whereas common screening for precancerous circumstances can assist early detection to scale back instances and deaths by permitting for well timed therapy and efficient administration.
“We commend the federal government’s efforts to introduce the HPV vaccine and set in movement plans to roll out the second part of immunization to the remaining 21 states,” says WHO Nation Consultant in Nigeria, Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo.
“Allow us to honour the reminiscence of these misplaced to HPV-related diseases by renewing our dedication to vaccination, screening, early analysis and therapy,” he provides.
