HPV vaccination rollout bold intervention - CDA Consult applauds GHS, Gavi
The Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) has described the nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rollout as a bold and timely intervention in the fight against cervical cancer.
It emphasised that early vaccination of adolescent girls was an effective and preventive measure that aligned with Ghana’s long-term strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health concern.
A Board Member of CDA Consult, Dr Chris Kpodar, stated this as Ghana successfully launch the nationwide vaccine aimed at protecting girls from cervical cancer.
The campaign, which officially began last Tuesday, October 7, marks a significant milestone in Ghana’s public health efforts as the country integrates the HPV vaccine into its routine immunisation programme.
Nationwide exercise
The nationwide exercise targets girls aged nine and 14 years, using a multi-age cohort approach that covers both in-school and out-of-school populations.
The five-day campaign, running from October 7 to 11, will be conducted mainly in schools across all regions, while health facilities serve as vaccination points for those who are not in school.
The initiative is being implemented with support from the Ministry of Education, the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF and other key partners.
Dr Kpodar, who is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cabinet Kpodar and Associate as well as Solomon Investments Group (SIGL), applauded the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and Gari for the intiative and emphasised that early vaccination of adolescent girls was an effective and preventive measure that aligned with Ghana’s long-term strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health concern.
He noted that the inclusion of schools as vaccination centres demonstrated Ghana’s commitment to ensuring equitable access for all eligible girls.
Dr Kpodar, a Diplomate, an AI expert and global economic development engineer, further acknowledged Gavi’s continued support for Ghana’s immunisation programme, stating that such partnerships played an instrumental role in advancing global health equity.
Wait and see attitude
The CDA Consult Executive Director, Francis Ameyibor, who has been among the frontline advocates for nationwide free HPV vaccination, noted that the five-day period was not enough.
He noted that judging from the national response to programmes of such nature, “the usual Ghanaian attitude will be to wait and see, and most people will respond very late, and a longer period will offer advocates enough time while the programme is ongoing to intensify public education and mobilise community participation.”
Mr Ameyibor, while acknowledging the efforts of GHS and partners to roll out the free HPV vaccination across the country, said, “We plead that we start on the right footing. We must consider the hard-to-reach areas and information flow within our country.”
Collective response
He also reiterated a call to traditional and religious leaders, opinion and political party leadership, Members of Parliament, and both traditional and social media to join the advocacy to ensure that the free HPV vaccination became a success.
Mr Ameyibor reiterated that when a woman battled cervical cancer, the entire family felt the impact.
“The toll of the disease is not limited to her physical health; it ripples through the household, affecting emotional stability, financial resources, and the general well-being of those closest to her.”
