The Borno state government, along with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), has started a new plan to protect people from a virus called Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
They created a special team called the State Technical Working Group to help introduce the HPV vaccine into the state’s regular shots by the second part of 2024.
The Commissioner of Health and Human Services, Professor Baba Mallam Gana, explained that HPV isn’t just a regular virus.
It can lead to cancer, like cervical cancer, which sadly kills many women every year worldwide. He said that fighting HPV is crucial for keeping people healthy and safe.
The WHO state coordinator in Borno state, Dr. Ibrahim Salisu, thanked Governor Babagana Umar Zulum for making health a top priority and giving a good amount of money to the health sector.
He promised that WHO would keep helping the Ministry of Health to make sure the HPV vaccine plan works well.
Dr. Salisu also said that vaccines are really important for public health. They help prevent diseases and save lives.
“We will continue to support the Ministry of Health, under the leadership of the Honorable Commissioner, Prof. Baba Mala Gana, and all the agencies and departments under the ministry.”
“As you may be aware, vaccination is one of the most important public health interventions and constitute a cost-effective strategy to reduce both the morbidity and mortality associated with infectious diseases.”
Nigeria and Borno state have been doing better with vaccines lately, which has helped to keep children healthier.
The Executive Secretary of Borno State Primary Health Care Development Board, Professor Mohammed Arab, said that forming the new team is a big step toward fighting HPV. He’s confident that with everyone’s help, they can find good solutions to this problem.
They want to make sure the HPV vaccine gets to young people who are most at risk of getting the virus.
