3 hours ago
11 ARTICLE AD
The Network Lead of Anglo West Africa at Roche Diagnostics, Mr Roberto Taboada, has called on the Federal Government to increase investment in Human Papillomavirus, noting that HPV is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Nigerian women.
In a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Monday, Taboada said poor healthcare infrastructure, limited access to HPV screening, poor awareness and financial constraints are some of the primary barriers to early detection and treatment of cervical cancer in Nigeria.
HPV is a significant health concern in Nigeria, with a high prevalence of high-risk types, particularly HPV 16 and 18, which cause about 66.9 per cent of cervical cancers in Nigeria.
Taboada explained that many women, especially in rural areas, struggle to access screening due to a shortage of healthcare facilities offering HPV-DNA testing.
He also pointed out that cultural beliefs and misinformation further discourage women from seeking screening, while financial constraints make regular check-ups unaffordable for many.
“HPV testing is crucial for cervical cancer prevention, yet awareness remains low, and stigma prevents many from getting tested.
“Expanding access to self-sampling kits, integrating HPV screening into routine healthcare, and increasing awareness through targeted outreach can help improve testing rates,” he said.
On improving HPV vaccination rates, Taboada stressed the need to address vaccine availability, misinformation, and healthcare infrastructure gaps.
He noted that many parents are unaware of the vaccine or fear its side effects due to misinformation.
“Breaking societal taboos,” he added, “requires a multi-faceted approach involving community leaders, religious organisations, and healthcare professionals. Public awareness campaigns should use trusted messengers to provide accurate information about HPV and cervical cancer. Schools and organisations must incorporate reproductive health education so young girls can make informed decisions.”
Taboada called for nationwide HPV screening programme implementation, integrating cervical cancer screening into maternal health services, and sustainable funding for vaccination and treatment.
He also emphasised the importance of training healthcare providers on HPV screening and using digital outreach technologies to increase participation.
Taboada also called on the government to adopt the World Health Organisation’s August 2020 resolution to eliminate cervical cancer strategy which targets90 per cent of girls for vaccination by age 15, screening of 70 per cent of women with a high-quality test by age 45 and treatment for 90 per cent of women with cervical.
According to him, by addressing these issues and aligning efforts with global strategies, Nigeria can significantly reduce the burden of cervical cancer, saving lives and improving the overall health of women across the country.
Investing in cervical cancer prevention, he noted, reduces the economic burden on families and the healthcare system by preventing costly late-stage treatments.
NEWS UPDATE: Get paid up to ₦120,000 per referral, payouts are sent to you within 24hours. Refer colleagues, friends, family, church members etc. Our approval process is STRICT, we desire only QUALITY REFEERALS. No fees required from you. Click here to apply.
