18-03-2014, 02:38 PM
The North West Provincial Executive Council (Exco) has thanked parents for embracing the roll out of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine campaign, which will protect many girls from cervical cancer.
Premier Thandi Modise on Tuesday said community mobilisation and consultation with schools has ensured that parents are informed to make healthy lifelong decisions for their children.
“The HPV vaccination campaign is an investment in the health of our young girls and that of future generation of women from contracting cancer of the cervix,†Premier Modise said.
She announced that the provincial government has budgeted R6 million for the roll out of the vaccination campaign. The campaign is run through the Integrated School Health programme implemented by sub-district school health teams.
For adequate lifetime protection against cervical cancer to be achieved, the World Health Organisation recommends that a minimum of two doses should be administered with a six-month interval between doses.
“Girls aged nine and above in grade 4 in all public schools across the province, who received the first dose, will receive the second dose to be administered from 29 September to 24 October 2014.
“From next year, the target will be extended to other groups but girls in grade 4 each year will be the main target group,†the Premier explained.
Cancer of the cervix, caused by HPVs transmitted through sexual contact, is among the common cancers affecting women in sub-Saharan Africa.
In the North West province, cervical cancer is among the first 10 causes of death for women above the age of 45 years. Nationally, 6 000 women get cervical cancer every year. About 80% are African women. Between 3 000 and 3 500 die annually, even after treatment. - SAnews.gov.za
Premier Thandi Modise on Tuesday said community mobilisation and consultation with schools has ensured that parents are informed to make healthy lifelong decisions for their children.
“The HPV vaccination campaign is an investment in the health of our young girls and that of future generation of women from contracting cancer of the cervix,†Premier Modise said.
She announced that the provincial government has budgeted R6 million for the roll out of the vaccination campaign. The campaign is run through the Integrated School Health programme implemented by sub-district school health teams.
For adequate lifetime protection against cervical cancer to be achieved, the World Health Organisation recommends that a minimum of two doses should be administered with a six-month interval between doses.
“Girls aged nine and above in grade 4 in all public schools across the province, who received the first dose, will receive the second dose to be administered from 29 September to 24 October 2014.
“From next year, the target will be extended to other groups but girls in grade 4 each year will be the main target group,†the Premier explained.
Cancer of the cervix, caused by HPVs transmitted through sexual contact, is among the common cancers affecting women in sub-Saharan Africa.
In the North West province, cervical cancer is among the first 10 causes of death for women above the age of 45 years. Nationally, 6 000 women get cervical cancer every year. About 80% are African women. Between 3 000 and 3 500 die annually, even after treatment. - SAnews.gov.za