Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, UICC President-Elect of 2024-2026 and a Founder and CEO of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a viral infection that is responsible for the majority of cervical cancer cases.
Despite Nigeria’s national rollout of the HPV vaccine, recent monitoring shows clear gaps in uptake across several states, with places such as Edo, Anambra and a few others still recording lower coverage levels. Strengthening these areas is essential for meeting our national and global cervical cancer elimination targets. Which is to vaccinate 90% of girls aged between 9-14years by 2030.
I attended the Stakeholders’ Consultation and Experience-Sharing Workshop organised by Peadiatric Association of Nigeria in collaboration with the The International Pediatric Association (IPA). Bringing experts and frontline implementers together helps refine HPV routinization strategies, tackle persistent barriers, and align on more equitable vaccine access for girls nationwide.
As a PAN member, it was valuable contributing to discussions on data quality, community engagement, and integrating HPV vaccination into routine immunisation.
Expanding coverage is possible when these conversations drive coordinated action.
I commend Dr. Ekanem Ekure, Dr. Joseph S Haddad (President, IPAWorld org), Dr. Naveen Thacker (Executive Director, IPAWorld org), for the workshop and their ongoing efforts, which I’l continue to support.
It was also great reconnecting with Dr. Anyawu and Prof. Mariya Muktar Yola. I’ve known Dr. Anyawu since her early days at Garki Hospital, and seeing her now as a consultant and soon-to-be grandmother is truly heartwarming.”
More posts featuring Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu.
