This Is Why the Government Launched Mass Vaccination of Girls Aged Between 10 and 14 Year-Old Girls
The Kenya Cabinet Secretary for Health Susan Nakhumicha revealed on Saturday the 28th of January 2023 that there will be plans for mass vaccination of Kenyan Girls aged between 10 and 14 years of age.
The purpose of the vaccination exercise is to ensure that young girls are protected against the possibility of contracting terminal cervical cancer.
The move is part of President William Ruto’s efforts to reduce the number of women who contract cervical cancer.
Nakhumicha urged healthcare service providers across the country to work with the government and join in the cause. She also emphasized that the government has installed mechanisms to ensure that Kenyan women get proper care at all cancer treatment centers.
The Ministry of Health will continue working with county governments and other partners in the battle to vaccinate young girls against cervical cancer.
Besides appealing to healthcare service providers, Nakhumicha urged husbands to support their wives to access cancer screening services.
The Ministry of Health advised that in order to stop cervical cancer, everyone must play their part.
All women should be screened regularly and girls can be vaccinated between the ages of 10 and 14.
Men should also chip in and support their wives, mothers, sisters, granddaughters, grandmothers, and daughters to go for regular check-ups.
Cervical cancer is a burden that has put significant strain on populations and health systems across all levels of income.
The Ministry of Health revealed that cancer is the second leading cause of death after infectious and cardiovascular diseases.
The International Agency for Research in Cancer (IARC) GLOBOCAN report for 2018 estimated around 47,887 new cases of cancer with a mortality rate of 32,987.
The Ministry of Health also revealed that breast, cervix uteri, oesophagus, prostate, and colorectum are the leading types of new cancer cases both in males and females across all age groups.
According to health officials, oesophageal cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths followed by cervical cancer and then breast cancer.
With this vaccination program, the government is hoping to reduce the number of cervical cancer cases and eventually save many lives.
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