FG to Launch New Anti-Cancer Vaccine-NPHCDA

Dr. Faisal Shuaib, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), has announced that the Federal Government plans to incorporate the Human PapillomaVirus (HPV) vaccine into the national immunization schedule in 2023 and 2024.

This decision aims to address the rising prevalence of cervical, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers by introducing a new anti-cancer vaccine.

During the quarterly review meeting of the South-East Traditional Rulers Committee on primary healthcare delivery, held in Awka, Dr. Faisal Shuaib provided the following information on Wednesday,21st of June,2023. He highlighted that Human PapillomaVirus (HPV) is a frequently transmitted infection that can give rise to several health complications, such as cervical, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers.

He further emphasized that the consequences of HPV-related diseases extend beyond physical effects, impacting individuals and families emotionally as well.

During the event, the Director of Disease Control and Immunisation, Dr. Bassey Okposen Bassey, represented the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA). He expressed that the involvement of traditional rulers was a vital component in the overall strategy to enhance primary healthcare services, especially in the areas of reproductive, maternal, child, and adolescent health.
This collaborative effort aimed to strengthen healthcare facilities and provide the essential technical support necessary to improve healthcare delivery across the five states of the South-East region. Dr. Bassey emphasized the significance of traditional rulers in primary healthcare engagements and urged them to continue advocating for and supporting the advancement of primary healthcare services within their respective communities.

He said, “As part of our efforts to strengthen primary healthcare facilities and enhance reproductive, maternal, child, and adolescent health services across the states, we recently launched and initiated the roll-out of the Community-Based Health Research Innovative-Training and Service Programme.

“This intervention aims to optimise human resources for health, reduce maternal and newborn mortality rates, and enhance the capacity of primary healthcare facilities by recruiting skilled birth attendants, medical officers of health, and deploying CRISP resident doctors.

“Also worthy to note is that the Federal Government, in collaboration with our development partners, will be introducing the Human Papillomavirus vaccine into the national immunisation schedule in 2023 and 2024.

“HPV is a commonly transmitted infection that can lead to various health issues, including cervical, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers.

The impact of HPV-related diseases is not only physical but also emotional, affecting individuals and families across our society.

“We encourage our majesties to support and actively participate in immunisation activities, awareness creation, and community mobilisation efforts. Your influence and credibility can inspire positive health-seeking behaviour and promote preventive measures within your communities.

“Let us work together to combat misinformation, address vaccine hesitancy, and encourage the adoption of healthy lifestyles.”
Declaring the event open, the Anambra State deputy governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, who represented the governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, said developing the healthcare system is a strong pillar of the state government.

He further mentioned that the state government has implemented a bottom-up approach to ensure the effectiveness of the healthcare system in the state.

Also present at the event, Dr. Walter Mulambo, the Country Representative of the World Health Organization, shared that data from the NPHCDA revealed the existence of “zero dose children” – those who have missed vaccinations and have never received routine immunization doses – throughout the country, despite improvements in immunization coverage. Dr. Mulambo highlighted the extensive efforts made to control variant strains of the poliovirus, resulting in a significant 90% reduction in reported poliovirus variants compared to the same period in 2022.

“We want to sustain this status in the South-East zone and the entirety of Nigeria and in Africa as a continent,” Mulambo added.
In his remarks, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, the Chairman of the South-East Council of Traditional Rulers and the Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, expressed admiration for the initiative and pledged to fulfill their responsibilities as essential stakeholders in promoting primary healthcare within their respective communities.