*******Healthcare Development: CSO Embarks On HPV Vaccines Sensitization In Isoko South LGA.
*******As Founder/CEO, Courageous Girls Women & Children Initiative (CGWCI), Says Partnership With Critical Stakeholders Has Yielded Results.
*****Ms Ayovuata Uyoyou Commends Development Partners On Support, Stakeholders; Women, children, Others On Participation Across 10 Wards In Isoko South LGA, Delta State.
By Victor Bieni, Oleh
As part of efforts towards boosting healthcare development in Isoko South LGA, Delta State and Nigeria in general, a global, reputable and grassroots based Civil Society Organization (CSO) into women, girls and children advocacy and development, Courageous Girls Women & Children Initiative (CGWCI) led by its Founder/CEO, Ms Ayovuata Uyoyou, has said that her organization’s recent Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccines sensitization for women, children and others across ten (10) Wards in Isoko South LGA, Delta State has yielded maximum results.
Daily Independent learnt this from Ayovuata pen-ultimate weekend soon after the town hall meeting, sensitization workshop implemented by the CGWCI which took place on May 24th, 2024 at Oleh Primary Healthcare Center in collaboration with healthcare development partners; IVAC, DCL, WAVA, NPHCDA, MWAN with funding from Gavi through John Hopkins as Ayovuata commended participants on massive turn out to HPV Vaccines Sensitization across 10 Wards in Isoko South LGA, Delta State.
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a viral infection transmitted sexually. Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccines are vaccines that prevent infections of certain types of HPV, protect against sexually transmitted infections, genital infections, cervical cancer or cancer of the vagina, vulva, penis and others. The Nigerian Government in October 2023 marked a historic milestone when single – dose HPV vaccine was introduced into the immunization routine program in the fight against HPV-related cancers including cervical cancer which is the leading cause of death for Nigerian women.
Speaking to newsmen soon after the sensitization workshop at Oleh Primary Healthcare Centre, she stated that the CSO group in collaboration with Development partners and Isoko South LGA critical Stakeholders had an extensive interactive session between the school authorities, community leaders and religious leaders on the HPV vaccines and its benefits, added there was no doubt on the safety and efficacy of the vaccines.
In the words of the Founder/CEO of CGWCI: “The students of Emiye Girls Grammar School delightfully entertained the audience with a cultural dance. The dance steps were a sight to behold. It was not only energetic; it was regal and queenly in form and style. The audience was craving for more as the young girls beating the drums dictated the flow of music and dance steps. It was a rich cultural outing depicting the tradition and customs of the Isoko people.”
“To wrap up the event, we engaged all the participants in a quiz completion on the HPV vaccines. We grouped all participants into Schools, Women and Men”.
At the end of the quiz competition, the schools won prices , the men won prices and the women won no prices because they couldn’t answer their questions correctly. As we ended the program, all the participants showed so much excitement and enthusiasm promising to mobilize eligible young girls to take the vaccines”.
” Most importantly, we must commend all those critical stakeholders, development partners who were present in the Town Hall Meeting on the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccines sensitization programs carried out across 10 wards in Isoko South LGA of Delta state”.
“This program is being implemented by Courageous Girls Women and Children Initiative-CGWCI in partnership with International Vaccine Access Centre (IVAC), Direct Consulting and Logistics (DCL), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Women Advocates for Vaccine Access (WAVA), Medical Women Association of Nigeria -MWAN with funding from Gavi through Johns Hopkins”.
” We use this medium to appreciate Hon Ovie Festus Agas, Dr Joseph Onojame (Delta State Commissioner for Health), Chief Emamusi Obiodeh ( Delta State Commissioner for Lands and Survey) , Mrs Hope Orevaoghene Ayovuata and all the 10 ward vaccine champions in Isoko South LGA for their immense support towards the success of the program”.
“This Event tagged; “Town Hall Meeting on the Human papillomavirus-HPV Vaccination across 10 wards in Isoko South LGA of Delta state” brought together representatives from 10 wards which includes; Oleh Ward 1, Oleh Ward 2, Irri Ward 1, Irri Ward 2, Aviara Ward 3, Uzere Ward 4, Igbide Ward 7, Emede Ward 5, Olomoro Ward 6 and Enwhe Ward 9 . Representatives from Schools , Markets , Religious institutions, Community leaderships , Local Government Education Authority-LGEA, Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency, and others came to the event”.
” Among the schools represented were students from Emiye Girls Grammar School led by the Principal Mrs Ese Ugbegu, St Michael’s College led by the Principal Chief Mrs Bridget Onojerame and Ozaha Primary School led by the Head mistress Mrs Priscilla oghenejabo”.
“We started with the opening prayer which was said by Pastor Moses Ekere and Ayovuata Courage Uyoyou, the Executive Director of the Courageous Girls Women and Children Initiative ; the Civil Society Organization – CSO representing Isoko South LGA gave the opening remarks”.
“Thereafter we proceeded to introduce participants and Mrs Aforke Atedezi, the Director of Nursing and Matron of Oleh Primary Health Care Center lectured us on the burden of cervical cancer which was supported by Dr. Onyi Owa- Nwabuzo, a representative of the Medical Women Association of Nigeria-MWAN. About 110 participants which included school children, market women, community leaders, women leaders and clergy men were duly sensitized on the importance of the HPV Gadasil 4 vaccine. The turnout of participants who came to witness this event was very satisfactory”.
Our reporter also interviewed some of the participants: The Principal of St Michael’s College said: “I am very happy I decided to make out time and bring my students after hearing about the vaccine and the importance from the Oleh ward 1 vaccines champions who took the sensitization exercise to my school”.
Aviara Women Leader, Mrs Ajiri Erijo said: “This is a great privilege for me and I am very excited. The lecture given by Mrs Aforke Atedezi, the Matron of the Oleh Primary Health Care Centre on the burden of cervical cancer was very detailed , explanatory and insightful. I have learnt so much. We are very happy for having such an in-depth lecture on the HPV vaccines introduction”.