United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF says 430,000 fatalities have been recorded out of 600,000 Nigerian women infected with cervical cancer in 2020.
The Health Specialist, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Dr David Audu, who cited the alarming data during the launch of 2025 first round Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW), and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in Bauchi.
Dr Audu described cervical cancer as a deadly disease, with 90% of global deaths occurring in low and middle-income countries like Nigeria.
He emphasised that the HPV vaccine remains the most effective prevention and pledged UNICEF’s continued collaboration with the government to protect women and children.
Executive Chairman, of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Board, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, said the campaign would also deliver Vitamin A supplements, deworming treatments, nutrition counselling, Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS), birth registration, and other essential services for mothers and children.
He called on Women to use the period to access all interventions being offered for their health and that of their children.
HPV vaccination drive
An official with the World Health Organisation (WHO) Dr Yarima Kucici, said that studies have shown that Nigeria loses one mother every seven minutes due to pregnancy related complications, urging stronger action to curb preventable deaths.
He said the current HPV vaccination drive specifically targets nine-year-old girls, marking a shift from previous health campaigns.
The weeklong MNCHEW campaign garnered support from WHO, UNICEF, Gates Foundation, Nutrition International, Clinton Health Access Initiative, Chigari Foundation among other partners.
Reporting by Murtala Muhammad