The Ministry of Health through its health workers should strive to reach every girl in every village between the ages of 9-14 years for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination.
Her Majesty Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso said this during the official launch of the HPV vaccination held at Pitso House in Butha-Buthe on Monday.
She said fighting HPV will eliminate cervical cancer in women for the upcoming generation, adding that the Ministry of Health should use every existing structure to reach every village.
Her Majesty encouraged the older persons to support girls to access the HPV, urging girls to avoid early sexual activities that may lead to HIV infections.
Referring to statistical information, she said in 2020, about 500 women in Lesotho were diagnosed with cervical cancer and 346 died from it.
“This is an indication of the severity of the disease in women,” she said.
She reminded Basotho that the HPV vaccination commenced in 2009 and was stopped in 2015 due to an expensive buying price, thus indicating that the price has been reduced.
Speaking at the same occasion, the Minister of Health, Mr. Semano Sekatle said cervical cancer is deadly but can be prevented.
He expressed assurance that with the contribution of Her Majesty Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso to the HPV launch, the residents will accept the vaccine for the benefit of their children, saying it was not easy with COVID-19 vaccination.
He said women are also attacked by breast cancer hence urged them to go for screening in time so that they are assisted in time.
Mr. Sekatle also announced that the Ministry of Health has opened a savings account with the aim to buy sanitary pads for girls, appealing to the health partners to contribute to it.
The Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Richard Banda said the launching of HPV is an important milestone in the country.
“Human Papilloma Virus is preventable through the HPV vaccine made possible in most countries,” he said.
Dr Banda said Lesotho joins other countries in the region to fight cervix cancer.
He said in regard to the highlighted target group, the Ministry of Health should ensure continued collaboration between the concerned ministries, citing the Ministry of Education and Training.
Also speaking, the Minister of Education and Training, Mrs. ‘Mamookho Phiri said her ministry is proud of the vaccination of girls between 9-14 years as the Ministry of Health ensures that children are cared for.
She said she supports the Ministry of Health in ensuring that all girls between the ages of 9 and 14 are vaccinated, saying beneficiaries are lucky as others are now dead because of this deadly disease.
The Member of Parliament for the Butha-Buthe constituency, Mr. Motlohi Maliehe expressed his gratitude to the Ministry for launching HPVV in Butha-Buthe.
He said this is a major contribution to the future generation as it may prolong the lives of girls between the ages of 9 and 14 years who will receive the vaccine.
Schedules have been sent to different schools so to reach all girls aged between 9-14 years.
Source: LENA 25/04/2022