This vaccine will be included in the national immunization schedule in 2023 and 2024 to address the rising prevalence of cervical, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers.

Dr. Faisal Shuaib, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of NPHCDA, disclosed this during the quarterly review meeting of the South-East Traditional Rulers Committee on primary healthcare delivery held in Awka.

Dr. Shuaib emphasized that HPV is a common infection that can lead to various health complications, including cancers affecting the cervix, anus, and oropharynx. He highlighted that the impact of HPV-related diseases extends beyond physical symptoms, affecting individuals and families emotionally as well.

Representing Dr. Shuaib at the event, Dr. Bassey Okposen Bassey, the Director of Disease Control and Immunisation, explained that the engagement with traditional rulers aimed to strengthen primary healthcare facilities and improve reproductive, maternal, child, and adolescent health services in the South-East region.

The meeting aimed to ensure effective primary healthcare delivery, provide technical support, and foster health initiatives.

Dr. Bassey acknowledged the significance of traditional rulers in primary healthcare engagements and urged them to continue championing the cause in their respective communities.

He also highlighted other efforts to strengthen primary healthcare facilities, including the launch and roll-out of the Community-Based Health Research Innovative-Training and Service Programme.

This initiative seeks to optimize healthcare resources, reduce maternal and newborn mortality rates, and enhance the capabilities of primary healthcare facilities by recruiting skilled birth attendants, medical officers of health, and deploying CRISP resident doctors.

Moreover, Dr. Bassey mentioned the collaboration between the Federal Government and development partners to introduce the Human Papillomavirus vaccine into the national immunisation schedule in 2023 and 2024.

He stressed the importance of addressing HPV-related diseases, which can have physical and emotional implications for individuals and families across society.

Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, who represented Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo at the event, emphasized that the development of the healthcare system is a key priority for the state government.

He stated that the government has adopted a bottom-up approach to ensure the functionality of the healthcare system in the state.

Dr. Walter Mulambo, the Country Representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO), highlighted the NPHCDA’s data, which revealed the existence of children across the country who have missed routine immunizations or have never received any doses, known as “zero-dose children.”

Dr. Mulambo mentioned the significant progress made in containing variant strains of the polio virus, resulting in a 90% reduction in reported cases compared to the same period in 2022.

He expressed the importance of maintaining this status and sustaining poliovirus-free zones in the South-East and throughout Nigeria and Africa.

Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, Chairman of the South-East Council of Traditional Rulers and the Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, commended the initiative and assured their commitment as critical stakeholders in driving primary healthcare within their communities.