By Ishaq Haruna Hardawa
Stakeholders in Shira Local Government Area of Bauchi State have renewed efforts to improve the uptake of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine, following concerns over low coverage in the area.
The move formed part of a town hall meeting organised under the Youth Initiative for Enhancing Long-Term Delivery of HPV Vaccination Project, Implemented by Haske Humanitarian Aid Initiatives held at the Shira Local Government Secretariat.
Speaking at the meeting, the Bauchi State Director of Public Health, Alhaji Abdullahi Dan’asabe, said the engagement was aimed at raising awareness on cervical cancer and the importance of HPV vaccination.
He explained that the forum also sought to identify gaps responsible for the low uptake of the vaccine and to secure stakeholders’ commitment towards sustaining immunisation efforts.
Alhaji Abdullahi Dan’asabe urged participants to intensify advocacy and community mobilisation to reverse the negative trend in HPV vaccine coverage.
In his remarks, Programme Officer of Haske Humanitarian Aid Initiatives, Lawal Umar Muhammad, stressed the need for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to improve vaccine performance in the area.
He noted that the project is youth-driven, with young people playing a leading role in championing HPV vaccination across communities.
Lawal Umar Muhammad described Shira as having one of the lowest HPV vaccine uptake rates in the state, adding that stakeholders remain critical to improving acceptance at the grassroots.
Also speaking, a representative of the State Primary Healthcare Development Board, Mahmoud Waziri, said the HPV vaccine is administered to girls aged 9 to 14 years.
He added that the state government has adopted various strategies to enhance acceptance of the vaccine across its 323 wards.
In a remark, the District Head of Shira, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar, emphasised the need for sustained public enlightenment to address misconceptions surrounding the vaccine.
He also advocated local production of vaccines to further build public confidence.
On his part, Chairman of Shira Local Government, Alhaji Babangida Maliya, represented by the Director of Administration and General Services, Auwalu Ibrahim, expressed concern over the poor performance of HPV vaccination in the area.
He directed the Primary Healthcare Department to develop a comprehensive proposal for intensified awareness campaigns across the LGA.
The chairman reaffirmed the council’s commitment to improving HPV vaccine uptake and becoming one of the best-performing LGAs in the state.
Cervical cancer remains a major but preventable health challenge, and is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women and girls.
