The Society of Private Medical and Dental Practitioners (SPMDP) has endorsed the ongoing national Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign.
It said the initiative was significant in that it would help protect girls against cervical cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in Ghana.
In a letter signed by the National President of the society, Dr Andre Kwasi-Kumah, the private medical professionals said the campaign was a good initiative to protect girls from future health complications.
“This landmark public health effort represented a significant advance in protecting our girls aged nine-14 against cervical cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in Ghana.
“As private sector health providers, we play a vital role in ensuring equitable vaccine coverage and making sure no eligible girl is left behind,” the society said.
The endorsement from the SPMDP further boosts the efforts of the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service (GHS), having launched the campaign seeking to vaccinate young girls between nine and 14 years from October 7 to 11, 2025.
However, the initiative has been met with some public scepticism, which has also affected patronage.
Safe, lifesaving
The SPMDP further said the HPV Vaccine had been proven to be safe, effective and lifesaving, providing long-term protection against the most common cancer-causing strains of the virus.
The society also said countries that had successfully implemented HPV vaccination recorded significant declines in cervical pre-cancers and related mortality, which was a justification that the introduction of the vaccine in Ghana was a vital investment in the health of the young girls.
It, therefore, urged all private practitioners –medical and dental- to actively participate in client sensitisation and mobilisation activities during the campaign week.
Again, the society emphasised the need for all its members to educate parents and guardians who would come to their facilities about the safety and benefits of the HPV vaccination.
“As usual, provide support and mobile outreach space for District Health Directorates’ and EPI teams to ensure smooth vaccine delivery at the facility/community levels when needed,” the society added.
It noted that as a professional body, the SPMDP was committed to working closely with the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, and other partners to ensure a successful rollout of this historic campaign.
