By: Mohamed Sahr
In the bid of eliminating cervical cancer among women and girls in Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation in collaboration with partners launched the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccine on Monday 3rd October 2022 at the Bintumani Hall.
Dr. Austin Demby, Minister of Health and Sanitation said over the years women and girls had been suffering in silence as a result of the damage cervical cancer had caused to their health status; remarking that the virus can be transmitted through sexual intercourse. He said health has been the second major pillar in the human capacity-building agenda of President Bio. Minister Demby revealed that education could play an impactful role in the rolling out of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccine. “If we education seven and half million people in Sierra Leone, we will produce the Sierra Leone of today and the future,” Dr. Demby said.
He disclosed that the Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine served as a way of eliminating cervical cancer in Sierra Leone which had caused a rising number of deaths among women and girls; adding that as far as the virus had been eliminated, the propensity of curing and preventing cervical cancer would be achieved. Minister of Health and Sanitation urged for the protection of girls before they would be sexually active. Dr. Demby affirmed that since the young girls especially those in school and out of school could be protected then, the women would as well be protected from cervical cancer.
Dr. Demby said the vaccination process would be an extremely consistent strategy to prevent women and girls in Sierra Leone. He said in combination with the HPV vaccine and the early detecting strategy, the issue of eliminating cervical cancer in Sierra Leone would be history. “We are going to work with the Ministry of Basic Education, Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs and community stakeholders as a collective national effort in footing this cause,” Health Minister revealed.
Manty Tarawalli, Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs said the Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine could be one way of protecting women and girls through regular screening as it removed the risk associated with developing the virus. She urged the government of Sierra Leone to increase women’s participation in an effect of growing the economy of the country. “By enabling a strong and inclusive environment, the economy will have an exponential growth,” Minister of Gender said.
Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, Minister of Basic Secondary School Education disclosed that the school health policy adopted in Parliament had been in line with the commitment to the rolling out of the HPV Vaccine in Sierra Leone. He said the Ministry of Basic Secondary School Education ensures that the safety and well-being of the children are not compromised especially in taking due diligence. Minister Sengeh assured that they would remain committed to the integration and rollout of the Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine in schools and communities. “The roll-out is heavily informed by supported data drawn by school centres across the country,” Dr. Sengeh said.
He pledged the support of his Ministry and encouraged parents to allow their children to get the vaccine for a brighter future. Minister Sengeh said today marked a milestone as Sierra Leone joined other countries in the world to eliminate cervical cancer.
Tarek Elshimi, Gavi Senior Country Manager said since 2001 to now they had provided over one hundred million dollars to Sierra Leone in support and strengthening health and immunization systems. He affirmed that Gavi would continue to augment the country through technical alliance and vaccine process. “We are currently supporting Sierra Leone to acquire an addition of over twenty-seven million US Dollars. Support for routine immunization and the integration of COVID-19 vaccines into the routine program,” Senior Country Manager of Gavi said.
Dr. Suleiman Braimoh, United Nations and UNICEF Representative said cervical cancer has been regarded as the fourth most common cancer among women with an estimated 266,000 deaths and 528,000 new cases each year; noting that about 85 per cent of the global burden of cervical cancer occurs in developing countries. He revealed that according to the Sierra Leone Cancer registry, an estimated 504 new cases of cervical cancer were diagnosed in 2021.
Dr. Braimoh disclosed that 203,900 doses of the vaccine have been secured and in line with WHO guidelines, a two-dose schedule has been planned. “Through the leadership of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, we have also supported mobilization and awareness-raising efforts with the active participation of the media, key national and community stakeholders and education partners to ensure that every girl, family, and the community receives the right information about the HPV vaccine and that girls are encouraged to get the vaccine,” Dr. Braimoh said.
