By Our Reporter
Two members of the Lake Region Economic Block (LREB), Bungoma and Kisumu counties have stepped up the initiative to vaccinated teenage girls against HPV as away of fighting cancer menace.
Bungoma Health and Sanitation officials
Speaking on Monday, Kisumu First lady Dorothy Nyong’o and her Bungoma Counterpart Margaret Makelo said that the project will help in eliminating the deadly disease.
The duo said that they are targeting to surpuss 10,000 girls in each county between the ages of 10 and 14 in accessing HPV vaccine.
Nyong’o stated that they are being supported by the American Cancer Society to promote the uptake of HPV vaccine.
So far more than 32,000 teenagers have been screened against breast and cervical cancer in the country especially Marsabit and Kajiado Counties.
She said that the partnership with ACS for the uptake of the pilot project to promote the uptake of HPV vaccine will be domiciled in Kabuchai constituency which targets five schools and three health facilities.
Kisumu first lady Dorothy Nyong’o with her Bungoma Counterpart Margaret Makelo and Bungoma County health and sanitation Chief Officer Dr Magrina Mayama (Left).
Makelo stated that they are targeting the two counties to vaccinate and protect the girls from future cancer.
“We will be using Multi sectoral approach to reach out to our young girls through advocacy so that they can undergo the vaccination to stop cancer,” she said.
The Bungoma first lady affirmed that they will train Community Health Promoters to sensitize parents and girls about the importance of taking the HPV vaccination.
“We are making a major milestone in fighting cancer through advocacy and treatment, the cancer menace should be eliminated in the near future so that we are a cancer free society,” said Makelo.
She noted that Bungoma is one of the counties that their problems have been sold outside and they have received support through partners.
“I am very passionate in fighting Cancer rise among women and teenage girls, with the availability of our partner, this is a great milestone towards eliminating it,” she said.
She noted that lack of vaccines and logistical support it has been hard in fighting cancer.
“Therefore we have used Word of mouth advocacy network to marshall for funds to fight the menace, with the availability of the partner, this is a stepping stone towards eliminating cancer in the region,” she said.
Bungoma County health and sanitation CECM Dr Andrew Wamalwa lauded the two Counties for putting health ahead of other programs.
“Advocacy for treatment of cervical cancer is a major achievement in fighting the menace, Women need early screening and if the disease is detected early enough patients can be put on treatment,” he said.
Present were Health and Sanitation Chief Officer Dr Magrina Mayama, director Dr.Caleb Watta, a section of CHMT members among other key stakeholders.
