The First Lady of Jigawa State, Hajiya Hadiza Umar-Namadi, has joined the Cervical Cancer Awareness campaign, calling on parents, caregivers and community leaders to prioritise HPV vaccination and routine screening to protect women and girls across the state.
In a statement to mark the awareness campaign, Hajiya Namadi emphasised that cervical cancer is preventable, stressing that early vaccination and regular screening are proven measures that save lives.
She urged parents to ensure eligible girls receive the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and encouraged women to take advantage of screening services available in health facilities.
According to her, vaccinating girls early provides strong protection against cervical cancer, while screening helps detect the disease at an early stage when treatment is most effective.
She noted that prevention efforts today would translate into healthier families and stronger communities in the future.
The First Lady reaffirmed her commitment to supporting programmes that promote women’s health, adding that her office would continue to collaborate with health workers, traditional rulers and religious leaders to increase awareness and acceptance of vaccination and screening.
She called on all residents to take responsibility by staying informed and accessing available preventive services.
Background
Cervical Cancer Awareness is part of a global campaign organised globally in January of every year to reduce the incidence and deaths associated with cervical cancer, a disease largely caused by persistent infection with high-risk strains of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
Over the years, international health bodies and advocacy groups have promoted vaccination and screening as the most effective tools for prevention.
The World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020 launched a global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem, targeting widespread HPV vaccination for girls, regular screening for women and timely treatment for those diagnosed.
In Nigeria, cervical cancer remains a major public health challenge due to low awareness, late diagnosis and limited access to screening in some areas. Awareness campaigns aim to bridge these gaps by encouraging early prevention and community involvement.
Health experts maintain that with sustained education, increased HPV vaccine coverage and accessible screening services, cervical cancer can be significantly reduced and eventually eliminated.
Nigerian Muslim Personalities of the Year 2024/2025
Global Muslim Personalities of the Year 2024/2025
Sponsored
