The Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN) has intensified its efforts against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) by training over 300 immunization champions across the country.
This initiative aims to increase vaccine uptake and lower the risk of cervical cancer among adolescent girls.
During a recent stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, which focused on strategies for integrating HPV vaccination into routine healthcare, PAN President, Prof. Ekanem Ekure, highlighted the strengthened partnership between the association, the International Paediatric Association (IPA), the federal government, and other collaborators.
She noted that PAN’s key initiative, the paediatric association advocacy for immunisation priorities, has gained additional support from the IPA, allowing the programme to expand into four more countries and enhance Nigeria’s efforts.
“In the past 20 months, we have trained over 300 immunization champions throughout Nigeria, who have in turn trained many others at both facility and community levels,” Prof. Ekure stated.
She stated that PAN’s advocacy for HPV has made significant strides, including reaching over one million individuals through social media, engaging more than 10,000 girls in 13 states within a month, establishing HPV health clubs in seven schools across various geopolitical zones, educating over 7,000 caregivers, training more than 600 health workers, and facilitating the vaccination of 800 girls through community outreach.
Prof. Ekure characterized the introduction and integration of the HPV vaccine as a monumental achievement for protecting millions of girls, noting that Nigeria has successfully vaccinated over 12 million girls during the national rollout.
She emphasized the importance of maintaining vaccine integration as the global community aims to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health concern.
“Our under-five mortality rate is 110 per 1,000 live births, with too many children still succumbing to vaccine-preventable diseases.
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“With the project extended to 2028, PAN will continue to focus on introducing new vaccines, addressing zero-dose children, and building vaccine confidence,” she said.
IPA President, Prof. Joseph Haddad, commended Nigeria for establishing a global standard in community mobilization for immunization, stating that the country’s successes will influence discussions at the 2027 Kigali Meeting centered on African children and their rights.
IPA Executive Director, Naveen Thacker, remarked that Nigeria’s achievements under an initial grant from the Gates Foundation led to the approval of an expanded grant covering six countries, including Ghana, Liberia, and Angola.
“You are now the world leaders in fostering community engagement for immunization,” he stated.
