Papillomavirus Society of Gombe on Monday decried lack of awareness in its bid to tackle the scourge of cervical cancer, among women in the state.
The society disclosed this during 2024 International Human Papillomavirus Awareness Day, with the theme ‘One less worry’.
Our correspondent reports that the awareness is titled; ‘Religion and Immunisation: Prospects and challenges of eliminating cervical cancer in Northern Nigeria’.
Speaking, Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist, Dr Halima Farouk urged more women to embrace the practice of screening, adding that by so doing death would be mitigated.
“Human Papillomavirus is very common and it doesn’t show. About 80 per cent of women carry the virus. When you have the cancer causing type for about 15 to 20 years, it will start causing changes in the cervix of the woman that causes cervical cancer this time is enough to get your body checked. Only screening can help to dictate it,” Farouk said.
Also speaking, Professor of Medical Microbiology, Mohammed Manga, said the unavailability of the screening centres across rural communities is a reflection of the entire health system in the country.
According to Mohammed, based on a presenter’s claim some states adopted farm-to-farm, where officials visit farms to vaccinate girls, stressing that through deliberate efforts it challenges would be resolved.
He said, “However, this can be improved with the improvement of healthcare system as a country. The vaccine can be taken to the villages and given to the girls, unlike treatment where you need machines and equipment.”
While lauding the seriousness of government, Manga said the vaccine has been paid for, “for those that will receive it, it will be free of charge. The country started that in 2023 in 16 states and the remaining 21 will commence this year May and its still going to be free to the ladies and young girls. The efforts should be on awareness to equate uptake to give the desired effect,” he added.
Explaining further Mohammed added that the virus doesn’t until cause cancer of the cervix adding “But other cancers but the most important one targeted for elimination by year 20230 is cervical cancer but aside cervical cancer, vulva, penile, oropharyngeal, anal and other head and neck cancers caused by the same virus. This vaccine if given will take care of those other associated cancers.”
Also, Professor of Epidemiology and Community Oncology in Gombe State University, and Consultant Clinical Oncology in Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, Adamu Bojulde, said the day is slated to create awareness to HPV.
Bojulde said, “HPV is linked about 85 per cent and more to cervical cancer and because of the menace, dangers associated with it does the death, morbidity to our women that is why this day is slated to create publicity on its prevention. It’s difficult to prevent HPV if you are not vaccinated, you can prevent by doing screening.”
Executive Secretary Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Abdulrahman Shuaibu, lamented the inadequacy of screening centres in rural areas, adding that “There is lack of screening facilities in rural areas. Prevention is better than cure.”
On his part, Professor of Islamic Studies Rasheed Abdul-Ganiy, who gave Islamic perspective to vaccine said immunisation is encouraged by Islam.
However, Abdul-Ganiy decried inadequate knowledge of what Immunisation is to scholars.
He said, “Many Muslim scholars lack understanding on what Immunisation is.
In our community once something is coming from West it’s believed to be harmful.
“There an is affordability challenge. Until Muslim scholars are carried along the challenge will persist.
“Let the scholars understand, but the problem is failure of understanding.”
