The Ministry of Education through its Sub County Directors has been asked to allow community health promoters to conduct the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination among school going girls.
Speaking while launching the Malava sub-county Cancer Awareness, Screening and HPV Vaccination at Malava Level 4 Hospital, Kakamega county First Lady Prof Jane Kassilly Barasa, observed that there was low turnout in number of pupils in the vaccination exercise considering the dangers the disease posed to them.
She called on the promoters to mount campaigns to have the girls aged between 9 to 19 years attend the vaccinations which she said was meant to prevent cancer.
“As a county, we are set to create awareness about cancer screening and HPV vaccination and it is only through allowing community health promoters to visit schools and vaccinate our girls will the information be passed to their parents effectively,” she said.
Prof Barasa noted that the county had recorded a small percentage of cancer patients being screened, with most men giving the exercise a wide berth despite being free.
“This HPV vaccination is here with the aim of minimizing cancer treatment costs and we urge the locals to bring their school going girls for screening, early detection and treatment. I am calling on all partners supporting maternal health to come on board,” she said.
So far the cancer data for the county indicates that only 19.5% have been screened in 2022 which is lower than the county target of 30% by December this year, the month where girls should be receiving their second vaccine.
The County Chief Officer in charge of Education Leah Khasandi reiterated that cancer was claiming a lot of lives and advised the locals to turn up for the free screening.
“Cancer is very expensive to treat when detected late. This is the only chance for our young girls to be vaccinated. Parents kindly take advantage of this exercise,” she said.
Chemuche Ward MCA Geoffrey Sikolia urged school heads across the sub county to liaise with health promoters to ensure girls in their schools are vaccinated.
Malava Hospital Medical Superintendent Terry Kamau hailed the screening and vaccination initiative as it will enable residents to be aware of their statuses early enough.
Nuru Ya Mtoto official Noel Olale echoed the calls to the education sector to take center stage by disseminating information on cancer and the need to vaccinate young girls.
By Andanje Wakhungu
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