Nigeria has made notable progress in human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, with over 18 million girls vaccinated since the national programme's inception in 2023. According to Vuyo Mjekula, Director of External Affairs for Sub-Saharan Africa at MSD, this achievement serves as a strong foundation for further advancements in cervical cancer elimination. However, Mjekula stressed that efforts must now focus on screening, early diagnosis, and treatment to build on the vaccination progress.
The current global funding environment necessitates domestic resource mobilization and enhanced partnerships among government, private sector, civil society, and other stakeholders. Mjekula advocates for private-sector representation in national cervical cancer task forces, partnerships, and technical working groups to minimize fragmentation and optimize resource deployment. By integrating resources, the goal is to direct them towards the most impactful areas and improve overall efficiencies.
MSD has been actively supporting Nigeria's health initiatives, including the provision of catch-up HPV vaccination for girls up to age 20 who were not covered initially. The company is also collaborating with Gavi and UNICEF to increase access to higher-valency HPV vaccines in Africa. Additionally, MSD has invested over $44 million in Nigeria through its MSD for Mothers initiative, supporting civil society organizations focused on maternal healthcare.
Dr. Rufai Ahmed Garba, Director of Disease Control and Immunization at the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), reported that Nigeria has vaccinated over 18 million adolescent girls against HPV, achieving about 76 percent of the target population. The HPV vaccine was introduced into the national programme in October 2023 and is now part of routine immunization, offered freely to nine-year-old girls at public health facilities.
Despite the vaccination progress, Dr. Garba emphasized that vaccination alone will not suffice to eliminate cervical cancer. He highlighted the need to strengthen screening, early diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up services. Nigeria currently records approximately 12,000 new cervical cancer cases and nearly 8,000 deaths annually, underscoring the urgency for comprehensive and multi-faceted interventions.
MSD is also engaged in broader cancer care initiatives in Nigeria, including a collaboration with City Cancer Challenge in Abuja to identify gaps and develop solutions for improving oncology services. The company's efforts reflect a commitment to addressing the country's healthcare needs through partnerships and innovative solutions. By uniting public and private sectors, Nigeria can make significant strides towards cervical cancer elimination and improved healthcare outcomes.
Key points
- MSD advocates for private-sector participation in cervical cancer efforts to enhance prevention, screening, and treatment in Nigeria.
- Nigeria has vaccinated over 18 million girls against HPV since 2023, achieving significant progress in cervical cancer prevention.
- The country records approximately 12,000 new cervical cancer cases and 8,000 deaths annually, highlighting the need for comprehensive interventions.
