Namibia is gearing up to initiate the distribution of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to adolescent girls in April, aiming to bolster its fight against cervical cancer, a top health official revealed to VOA.
With approximately 1 million women aged 15 years and older at risk of developing cervical cancer in the southern African nation, the initiative comes as a crucial preventive measure. Annually, Namibia records about 375 new cases of cervical cancer, with a staggering fatality rate exceeding 50%.
Also, read: Wizkid Declares Independence from Afrobeats with Upcoming Album ‘Morayo’
However, concerns loom regarding potential vaccine hesitancy among the target population. Mehafo Amunyela, a member of the #Be Free Youth Program in Katutura Township, emphasized the necessity of extensive awareness campaigns to dispel misconceptions surrounding vaccination. She underscored the critical role of vaccines in disease prevention, drawing parallels to past successes such as the eradication of polio.
The Cancer Association of Namibia underscored logistical challenges, particularly the vast distances between towns and villages. To overcome these hurdles, tailored awareness campaigns in various indigenous languages spoken across the country are deemed essential.
Namibia’s rollout of the HPV vaccine aligns with the World Health Organization’s ambitious target of vaccinating 90% of girls worldwide by 2030, with the ultimate goal of eradicating cervical cancer in the coming century. Despite being preventable and curable, cervical cancer claimed 350,000 lives globally in 2022, according to WHO data.
As Namibia prepares to embark on this pivotal vaccination campaign, stakeholders emphasize the critical importance of community engagement, education, and equitable access to healthcare services to mitigate the burden of cervical cancer and safeguard the health of future generations.
