MONROVIA, LIBERIA-Several school-going girl-children have received free cervical cancer vaccines at the F-Sham Girls Academy in Paynesville.
According to the World Health Organization survey of Cervical cancer, the disease is the fourth most common cancer in women globally with around 660,000 new cases and around 350,000 deaths in 2022.
The vaccination is part of a series of activities planned by the WHO in Liberia, ahead of the World Health Day celebration on April 7, 2024.
Speaking at the vaccination program on Thursday, March 28, 2024, WHO Liberia Country Representative Dr. Clement Peter stressed the danger cervical cancer poses to women, but maintained that the disease can be prevented.
As part of the World Health Organization’s activities, it is expected to vaccinate girls between the ages of 9 to 14 years to prevent them from contracting the disease in the future.
Dr. Peter said:” To meet the 2030 goal on health, improving child health, reducing deaths among mothers, and ensuring available health services is paramount.”
Meanwhile, the Senate Committee Chair on Health, Senator Dabah Varplah committed the Liberian Government to ensure that 90 percent of girls between nine to fourteen years are vaccinated in the next six years.
As part of the commitment, the Grand Cape Mount County Senator said:” The Liberian Government will ensure that 70 percent of women between 35 to 45 years receive regular checkups for cervical cancer.”
Speaking at the Cervical Cancer Vaccination event in Paynesville, Senator Varpilah assured that 90 percent of women with cervical issues also stand to benefit from treatment in the next six years.
She said these commitments are part of WHO’s global strategies to eliminate Cervical Cancer and improve health, which also aligns with the Government’s ARREST agenda.
Senator Varpilah termed health as the central focus of any development initiative in Liberia and the World.
According to her Cervical Cancer is a silent predator, which affected more than six-hundred women in Liberian in 2023, and killed more than 450 of the victims.
But despite its danger, Senator Varpilah said:” The disease can be prevented with the vaccines which are cheap, safe and available at many health centers across the Country.”
The Grand Cape Mount Senator and Senate Chair on Health is calling on all parents to ensure that their girl-children receive cervical cancer at an early age.
