BY OJO SAMSON AYOMIDE
The Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB), in collaboration with the Gates Foundation and Pathfinder International, has conducted a strategic field visit to Kosofe Local Government Area (LGA) to significantly boost the uptake of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine and strengthen cervical cancer prevention efforts across the state.
Representing the Permanent Secretary of the LSPHCB, Dr. Ibrahim Akinwunmi Mustafa, mni, the State Immunisation Programme Coordinator, Dr. Mathew Adetola Akinpelu, spearheaded the visit. Among other things, the primary objective was to assess the current HPV vaccination landscape, pinpoint existing challenges, and collaboratively develop effective strategies to expand coverage.
“Our focus is on optimizing routine immunization performance, specifically addressing the nuances of HPV vaccine administration, and collectively devising solutions to achieve higher vaccination rates,” stated the Permanent Secretary.
The collaborative initiative involved direct engagement with local health officials, vaccination teams, school administrators, community leaders, and key stakeholders. The aim was to foster greater awareness and reinforce robust immunization practices within the LGA.
The field visit commenced with a formal courtesy call to the National Programme on Immunization (NPI) unit in Kosofe. The delegation was warmly received by the Medical Officer of Health (MOH), Dr. Kahinde Oguntoyinbo, and the Local Immunization Officer (LIO), Mrs. Omogbeyin Folake.
Mrs. Folake presented data-driven interventions, community mobilization strategies, and ongoing coordination efforts designed to enhance vaccine coverage within the local government. Subsequently, the team directly observed HPV vaccination sessions in local schools as part of the intensified “HPV Plus” campaign.
The campaign strategically targets 10 priority LGAs within Lagos State. Interactions with head teachers, students, and school management underscored the critical role of HPV vaccination in preventing cervical cancer.
A significant Town Hall meeting was convened at the Colossus Hotel, where Dr. Akinpelu reiterated the importance of seamlessly integrating HPV vaccination into routine immunization schedules to ensure long-term sustainability.
Participants openly discussed key challenges hindering increased vaccine coverage, including logistical hurdles, the spread of misinformation, and community hesitancy.
The collaborative discussions yielded several concrete action points, which include strengthening community engagement, expanding awareness campaigns, enhancing healthcare worker training, improving stakeholder coordination and fostering stronger collaboration, among other interventions.
The Town Hall meeting brought together a diverse spectrum of community representatives, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, representatives from civil society organizations, health associations school proprietors, the Girl Guides, women and market leaders, social mobilization committees, the Chairman of the Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC), media personnel, and other vital stakeholders.
