The Executive Secretary, Nasarawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency (NAPHDA), Dr. Usman Iskilu Saleh, has advised parents and care givers to accept the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine for the health of our girl child aged between 9-14 years, assuring them that the vaccine is safe and free. Dr. Iskilu made this declaration while flagging off a one-day sensitisation campaign on the HPV vaccine organised by the National Institute of Cancer Research and Treatment in collaboration with NAPHDA held today Friday at Government Secondary School (GSS) Tudun Kawari, Lafia, Local Government.

While appreciating the efforts of Engr. Abdullahi Sule on prioritising the health sector, Dr. Iskilu said that maternal and child health are critical in the health sector, hence the rationale behind the routine immunisation.

”Maternal and Child Health is one of the components of Primary Health Care, hence the determination of the World Health Organisation (WHO) at eliminating cervical cancer in Nigeria and other African countries. Dr. Iskilu, who observed that treatment of the causative agent of any disease is the foundation for the elimination of such disease, however, noted that cervical cancer, which is the causative agent of HPV must be eliminated. 

While appealing to parents to avail themselves of this opportunity provided by the government to eradicate the disease, Dr. Iskilu used this opportunity also to
 debunked the claim
surrounding negative perception of the people about the vaccine, adding that the vaccine is not harmful as being speculated.