Training CSOs on HPV vaccine introduction into Nigeria – Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu

Yesterday, I attended the first of a two day training for civil society organizations on demand generation for the introduction of Human Papilloma Virus vaccine into Nigeria’s EPI schedule.

The training was organized by the John Hopkin’s International Vaccine Access Centre, IVAC in partnership with Direct Consulting and Logistics (DCL) and Women Advocates for Vaccine Access (WAVA).

Cervical cancer affects over 600,000 women globally each year. It is preventable with the vaccine and screening. Thus, we are very excited that the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) plans to introduce the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) accine in September 25th, 2023 in 16 Nigerian states (Abia, Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Enugu, Jigawa, Kano, Kebbi, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ogun, Osun, Taraba, and FCT) for the first phase.

The vibrant and passionate group being trained were quick to learn and I had a thoroughly enjoyable morning. I shared our experience in Kebbi with the COVID 19 vaccine and how using community based organizations helped a great deal to create awareness and education on the infection, and ultimately generate demand vaccine demand I was pleased to see Ahmad Dakaratu, the PM of Salamatu Hussaini Foundation, Kebbi in attendance.

It was also nice to catch up with my friend and IVAC country rep- Dr Chizoba Nwonodi on the exciting developments within the space. Chizoba and I have been longtime allies in the push to to introduce #HPV. We must encourage parents and eligible girls to get vaccinated so that Nigeria can travel alongside other countries that are already on the road to cervical cancer elimination!

International Vaccine Access Center at Johns Hopkins BSPH Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance MSD Girl Effect Aurélia Nguyen Muhammad Ali Pate Cancer Research UK (CRUK) Medicaid Group Nigeria Chioma Nwachukwu NCD Alliance Nigerian Cancer Society Philippa Kibugu-Decuir

Source: Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu / Linkedin

Her Excellency Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu is the First Lady of Kebbi State, a global cancer advocate, a pediatrician, a UICC Board Member, a Founder of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation, and the Chairperson of First Ladies Against Cancer (FLAC), a coalition of the spouses of current and former state governors in Nigeria who are working to address gaps in the cancer continuum of care.