Dr Linda Ayade Holds Town Hall Meeting with Stakeholders on Cervical Cancer, Seek collective Efforts in its eradication

 

 The Wife of the Cross River State Governor, Dr Linda Ayade through her foundation, the Mediatrix Development Foundation and the First Lady against Cancer (FLAC) initiative held a town hall meeting with stakeholders and young girls at the Holy Child Secondary School calabar,  to commemorate the first anniversary of the global strategy on the Elimination of Cervical Cancer. The strategy, coded 90-70-90 which was adopted and Launched by the World Health Organization in November 2020, implies that the world must work to ensure 90% of girls are fully vaccinated with HPV vaccines by age 15years; 70% of women get screened  and 90% of women with cervical cancer receive treatment.

Dr Linda Ayade who was represented by the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong said, the choice of focusing on young girls and creating  awareness on Cervical cancer is because everyday in Nigeria, 41 women are diagnosed of cervical cancer, 29 women die each day due to cervical cancer and 3.5% of women in Nigeria Harbour the Human Papilloma Virus which is the virus that causes cervical cancer in women. 

Dr Ekpenyong noted that vaccination of girls against HPV remains the most effective approach to eliminate cervical cancer, however due to global shortage, access to the vaccines is a huge challenge, therefore, Federal Government and international bodies to restrategize to ensure better access to HPV vaccines. 

She  also reiterated Her Excellency's commitment and resolve to collaborate with the Cross River State Ministry of health, the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and other critical stakeholders to ensure availability of the vaccines, screening and treatment of women with cervical cancer in the state. 

The DG  discouraged early exposure of the female child into sexual activities as this will predispose then to cervical cancer.

She urged all stakeholders to support  the First Lady through her pet project, "Mediatrix Development Foundation. 

High point of the event were panel discussions,  presentation from the school and a commitment from the young girls and other stakeholders to be Cervical cancer prevention Champions.

At the end of the town hall meeting,  the following resolutions were made;

1. To sustain community focused efforts in improving awareness of HPV and cervical cancer in Cross River State.

2. To contribute to the improvement of access to cervical cancer prevention services in the state including vaccination and referrals.

3. To expand coverage and support existing interventions to reach more women and girls.

4. To provide support for legal issues in women’s health including gender-based violence.

5. To support community engagement activities and encourage women participation in cervical cancer prevention intervention.

6. Increasing cancer awareness activities in the Mediatrix school-based clubs.

7. To become active advocates against cervical cancer and HPV. 

Others present at the town hall meeting include: the representative of the Hon Commissioner for health,  Dr Comfort Ekanem, special Adviser to the wife of the Governor Hon Torita Odey staff of  Development Foundation including The Chief Operating Office, Mr Jeffery Adamade, Ministry of Education, Primary Health Care Development Agency, International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA), Medical Women Association President, Dr Vivian Otu, Traditional rulers, Principal of Holy Child Secondary School, Pharmaceutical companies as they are delibrate to chat a new course in the elimination of cervical related cancers.