26 women die daily of cervical cancer in Nigeria - Bagudu

26 women die of cervical cancer daily in Nigeria, and the country has the highest cancer death rate in Africa, said the Director of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu has said.

Shinkafi-Bagudu, who made this known during the commemoration of this year’s World Polio Day in Kebbi state, announced that Nigeria is set to commence the vaccination against the disease in 2030 sequel to the adoption of a global strategy by World Health Organization (WHO) to eliminate the cervical cancer by 2030.

According to her, “26 women die of cervical cancer daily, and as it stands, Nigeria has the highest cancer death rate in Africa. Cervical cancer can be eliminated by a simple vaccine against the human papilloma virus- HPV.

ADVERTISEMENT“As we have learnt from the polio experience, providing the vaccine without adequately educating our communities will lead to failure.

“In Yauri, Kebbi State, with funding from Jaiz Foundation, we pioneered a pilot vaccination study for 100 girls, the findings of which will be published soon in a peer review journal.

“Thus, it is my prayer that the fight against cervical cancer using the HPV vaccine receives the same momentum that polio has received in Nigeria.”

She also revealed that, her foundation, Medicaid Cancer Foundation in collaboration with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) had been working with local and International partners to ensure the vaccination became a reality for women.

In his remarks, The WHO Representative, Dr Razi Muktar, acknowledged the role played by the traditional institution in the fight against polio, especially the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Mera.

“We shall also support the state government to deliver an integrated service delivery and strengthen primary health services,” he said.

Also, a representative of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Alhaji Shehu Abdul-Ganiyu, stressed the need for continued polio immunization in spite of polio free certification indices of the country.

The Chief of Field office UNICEF Sokoto, Muhammadeen Fall, represented by Mustapha Illo, said the organization was always glad to be associated with Kebbi Government and acknowledged the strong leadership role played by governor Bagudu with traditional leaders in the elimination of Polio in the state.