The Keta Municipal Health Directorate of the Ghana Health Service has announced plans to undertake a Periodic Intensification of Routine Immunisation exercise with a focus on Human Papillomavirus vaccination within the Municipality. This exercise, scheduled through the Expanded Programme on Immunisation, will run from September 28 to October 2, with a second round set for November 23 to 27. The initiative aims to enhance HPV vaccine uptake and protect eligible girls aged nine to 14 years against cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases.
According to Mr Ernest Alignol, the Acting Municipal Director of Health Service at Keta, the exercise is part of collective efforts to ensure that all eligible girls are protected against HPV-related diseases. He explained that the Keta Municipal Health Directorate will target schools, communities, and designated vaccination points during the exercise. Mr Alignol appealed for support and cooperation towards the successful implementation of the exercise and urged institutions and communities to identify eligible girls and make them available to vaccination teams.
The vaccination teams will engage with various institutions and designated vaccination points during the exercise, and Mr Alignol appealed for assistance in informing relevant persons and encouraging eligible girls to participate. He emphasised that the HPV vaccine is safe, effective, and provided free of charge to eligible beneficiaries, ensuring that no girl within the target age bracket is left out due to cost.
The Keta Municipal Health Directorate has copied a letter to key stakeholders, including the Municipal Chief Executive of Keta Municipal Assembly, the Member of Parliament for Keta, and the Municipal Coordinating Director, among others, to help conduct a successful exercise. Other recipients include the Director of the Ghana Education Service, the Principal of the Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Keta, Medical Superintendents of Keta and Abor, and all Assembly Members within the various electoral areas.
The Directorate has also expressed appreciation in advance for the anticipated support from all stakeholders, as the exercise is a critical step towards achieving a healthier and cancer-free generation within the Keta Municipality. The Ghana News Agency gathered that other stakeholders copied on the letter include the Keta Divisional Police Commander, the National Ambulance Service, the National Commission for Civic Education, the Information Service Department, faith-based leaders, chiefs, opinion leaders, and all media houses in Keta and Anloga.
The HPV vaccination exercise aims to protect eligible girls against cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases. Mr Alignol emphasised that the support and cooperation of stakeholders would contribute greatly towards improving HPV vaccination uptake and protecting eligible girls against HPV-related diseases in the Municipality.
The Keta Municipal Health Directorate's initiative is a significant step towards enhancing HPV vaccine uptake and ensuring that all eligible girls are protected against cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases. The exercise is expected to be successful with the support and cooperation of stakeholders, and the Directorate has expressed appreciation for their anticipated support.
Key points
- The Keta Municipal Health Directorate to undertake a Periodic Intensification of Routine Immunisation exercise with a focus on Human Papillomavirus vaccination within the Municipality.
- The exercise aims to enhance HPV vaccine uptake and protect eligible girls aged nine to 14 years against cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases.
- The HPV vaccine is safe, effective, and provided free of charge to eligible beneficiaries.
