The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Nasarawa State Chapter and the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) have collaborated with Pathfinder International to raise awareness on Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a causative agent of cervical cancer.
The sensitisation workshop HPV held in Lafia, brought together media personnel to educate them about the risks associated with HPV and the importance of vaccination.
Speaking at the workshop, Fatima Maha, Nasarawa State Coordinator of the HPV Champions and Advocacy Engagement Project, representing Pathfinder International, said HPV was a serious public health concern.
“Human Papillomavirus has some strains that cause cervical, mouth, penile, throat, and anal cancers, and it manifests in different ways,” she said.
Maha emphasised that cervical cancer is the second leading cause of death in women after breast cancer, and unlike breast cancer, cervical cancer often does not present symptoms until it is too late.
According to her, the HPV vaccine was a crucial tool in preventing cervical cancer, noting that both girls and boys can take the vaccine.
“HPV vaccine helps to prevent against the strains that cause cervical cancer. Both girls, boys, and older women can take the vaccine, but older women must go for screening to certify that they do not have the virus,” Maha said.
She however noted that the vaccine was not readily available for boy children and older women due to unavailability, and that Nigeria was prioritising girls at age 9 because it is believed that they have not had sexual contact and their immune system is strong.
Maha called on media personnel to spread the information about HPV and become ambassadors and change agents in their communities.
She also emphasised the need for collaboration between organisations to address the myths and misconceptions surrounding the HPV vaccine.
“Many people do not know about this vaccine, and even those who know are often worried or scared due to different myths and misconceptions about it. I call for collaboration between organizations to see that we make an impact on our communities by spreading the information,” she concluded.
In his remarks, Comrade Smah George, Chairman of SWAN in the State, expressed gratitude to Pathfinder International for collaborating with SWAN to address health issues affecting women emphasizing that the idea was to education Female Athletes,Women in Sports, NAWOJ and the SWAN members.
He commended Pathfinder International for their efforts to reduce cases of HPV in Nasarawa State and urged participants to use their platforms to educate people on the dangers of HPV.
“Aside the interest that we have in developing our women in the area of sports, there is a need for us to work towards addressing their health issues,” George said.
Also speaking, Patricia Akawu, Director of News and Current Affairs at Nasarawa Broadcasting Service (NBS), noted that the sensitisation would help educate the populace, especially at the grassroots level, about HPV.
“The sensitisation will begin to educate the populace especially at the grassroots from the reports that will be aired from the various media organisations particularly when the message is been translated into local languages,” she said.
On her part, the NAWOJ chairperson in the State and HPV champion emphasised the importance of taking health seriously and disregarding myths and misconceptions about HPV vaccination.
She urged the people to take the issueof of vaccination seriously and creates awareness for more people to get vaccinated.
The Voice reports that the collaboration between SWAN, NAWOJ, and Pathfinder International is a step towards promoting public health and reducing the incidence of cervical cancer in Nasarawa State.
