Govt Launches HPV Vaccine
Government has dispelled the myth that the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine has side effects.Health Minister, Chitalu Chilufya has assured parents to ensure they take their children for HPV vaccination.Dr Chilufya was speaking this afternoon when he officially launched child health week integrated with HPV Vaccine Introduction at Chainda grounds in Lusaka.He said the vaccine is aimed at controlling cervical cancer in girls aged 14.The Health Minister further explained that the launch of HPV vaccine is a call to action that government is committed to tackle the disease.Dr Chilufya says cervical cancer comes with high mortality rate of 48.8 percent compared to other cancer diseases.Dr Chilufya also noted that over 7,000 women have been screened for cervical cancer across the country.And World Health Organisation -WHO- Country Representative Nathan Bakyaeta is happy that Zambia like other African countries has stepped up efforts to eliminate cancer diseases.Meanwhile, Merck Representative Dr. Zelelem Chekol said his organisation stands ready to partner with other stakeholders in fighting cervical cancer.Merck is a medical research institution that seeks to develop drugs to combat diseases. Post Views: 9
News Source: ZNBC