MSEVE takes Big Event to Ajaokuta LG
*Collaborates with IVAC, WAVA, DCL, NPHCDA
25 May, 2024, a Town hall sensitization Big Event meeting held in Adogo, Ajaokuta LGA headquarters of Kogi State.
The Big Event, which meant to sensitive the people of the Local Government on the dangers of cervical cancer and upcoming vaccination aimed as a preventive measure, was successfully hosted by MSEVE Girls-Child and Women Empowerment Initiative (CSO), in partnership with, International Vaccine Access Centre (IVAC), Direct Consulting and Logistics (DCL), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Women Advocates for Vaccine Access (WAVA), with funding from Gavi through Johns Hopkins.
The essence of the meeting is to increase awareness created so far on the upcoming HPV vaccine implementation scheduled for launch on the 27 May, 2024 and to increase uptake of the vaccine.
The meeting, in the opinions of participants and stakeholders, was a huge success. The stakeholders present included, the Education Secretary, traditional rulers, religious bodies, representatives of market women, representatives of the road transport workers as well as health workers in the Local Government.
The event kicked off with a meeting with the traditional ruler of Eganyi and other stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Esther Ada, spoke on the relationship between human papiloma virus and cervical cancer.
She advised for prompt medical attention and periodic screening for early detection.
An Islamic cleric, Dr. Saka, also spoke on the importance of prevention (vaccination) from Islamic perspective, quoting extensively from the Qu’ran and Hadith, explaining how the Prophet admonished his followers on the use of herbs for curative and preventive purposes.
Also, Pastor Akor, who represented the Christian Association of Nigeria, underscored the need for prevention through vaccination from the Christian perspective. He explained that one of the early apostles, Luke in the Bible was a Medical Doctor, explaining how he deplored herbs for curative and preventive purposes for the soundness of the body.
The Council Boss was represented by his Supervisor for Health and he spoke on the need to take the vaccine without giving thought to rumours, noting it is for the prevention of cervical cancer, which has been a major source of death amongst the womenfolk.
He also thanked the organisers and the sponsors for choosing Ajaokuta Local Government as one of the places to host the all important sensitization for the uptake of the vaccine.
At the event, stakeholders all promised to massively mobilise girls between the ages of 9 and 14 through their parents and caregivers to take the vaccine during the implementation period.
The master trainer, Garba Mustapha of MSEVE Girls Child and Women Empowerment Initiative, explained that about 12,000 women come down with cervical cancer yearly in Nigeria and of this figure, no less than 8,000 die annually from the sickness.
The government, he explained, is keen on mobilising to end this and this is why the people need to support the effort of government and the sponsors of this vaccination programme by mobilising those in the age bracket to take the vaccine.