HPV vaccine roll-out to state hospitals imminent – Nangombe
Cervical cancer second most frequent cancer among Namibian women
The vaccine is not yet available at state hospitals and health centres.
Although the World Health Organisation's (WHO's) global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer outlines three targets to be achieved by 2030 – one of which is that 90% of girls should be fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by age 15 – Namibia has yet to publicly introduce the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
At the 71st session of the WHO regional committee for Africa in 2021, member states adopted the framework for the implementation of the global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem in the African region, which outlines the regional goals of reaching 90-70-90 by the year 2030.
Health ministry executive director Ben Nangombe told Namibian Sun on Monday that they are at an advanced stage and eager to roll out the vaccine soon to reach their goal.
Nangombe said the ministry has already initiated the roll-out process and identified the specific product. He added that the ministry has also begun training those who will be administering the vaccine.
“We have identified the product to be used in Namibia and the procurement has also been initiated. The roll-out is imminent,” he said.
Frustration mounts
Doctors at Oshakati State Hospital recently raised concerns about the absence of the HPV vaccine in public hospitals during an informative talk on cervical cancer.
Dr Ilona Sheehama said although cervical cancer is preventable, in 2020, an estimated 604 000 women were diagnosed worldwide and about 342 000 women died from the disease.
Sheehama said cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women around the world and the second most frequent cancer among women in Namibia.
The prevalence is most frequent in women between the ages of 15 and 45.
Despite these concerns, Namibia has yet to publicly introduce the HPV vaccine in public hospitals, with its availability currently limited to private hospitals and requiring private medical aid coverage.
“Early screening plays a crucial role in identifying cancer at its early stages, when it is most manageable,” Sheehama said.
She said primary prevention can be the HPV vaccination, reduction in smoking, male circumcision, safe sex, faithfulness and abstaining from sexual activities.
“Others include controlling the HIV pandemic,” she added.
Sheehama said women living with HIV are at an increased risk of developing cervical cancer.
At the 71st session of the WHO regional committee for Africa in 2021, member states adopted the framework for the implementation of the global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem in the African region, which outlines the regional goals of reaching 90-70-90 by the year 2030.
Health ministry executive director Ben Nangombe told Namibian Sun on Monday that they are at an advanced stage and eager to roll out the vaccine soon to reach their goal.
Nangombe said the ministry has already initiated the roll-out process and identified the specific product. He added that the ministry has also begun training those who will be administering the vaccine.
“We have identified the product to be used in Namibia and the procurement has also been initiated. The roll-out is imminent,” he said.
Frustration mounts
Doctors at Oshakati State Hospital recently raised concerns about the absence of the HPV vaccine in public hospitals during an informative talk on cervical cancer.
Dr Ilona Sheehama said although cervical cancer is preventable, in 2020, an estimated 604 000 women were diagnosed worldwide and about 342 000 women died from the disease.
Sheehama said cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women around the world and the second most frequent cancer among women in Namibia.
The prevalence is most frequent in women between the ages of 15 and 45.
Despite these concerns, Namibia has yet to publicly introduce the HPV vaccine in public hospitals, with its availability currently limited to private hospitals and requiring private medical aid coverage.
“Early screening plays a crucial role in identifying cancer at its early stages, when it is most manageable,” Sheehama said.
She said primary prevention can be the HPV vaccination, reduction in smoking, male circumcision, safe sex, faithfulness and abstaining from sexual activities.
“Others include controlling the HIV pandemic,” she added.
Sheehama said women living with HIV are at an increased risk of developing cervical cancer.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article