Central Region vaccinates 20,000 girls against cervical cancer

The Central Regional Health Directorate, has vaccinated a total of 20,007 girls from nine to 11 years against cervical cancer, which is killing many women in the country.

The vaccine, which is given in three doses targeted girls who have not yet been exposed to sexual intercourse to protect them against the disease.

They were given the first two doses awaiting the last one which was expected to be administered in September but was rescheduled to November due to some challenges.

Cervical cancer is a disease that affects the cervix but when detected early it could be treated.

In an interview with Ghana News Agency on Monday in Cape Coast, Mr Peter Dieter, Regional Disease Control Officer said Cape Coast, Mfantseman, Ekumfi, Efutu, Agona West, Awutu Senya and Awutu Senya East Districts were selected for the exercise.

He said it is being carried out with support from World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF and Rural Women’s Initiative for Development and Empowerment, a non-governmental organisation based.

Mr Dieter asked parents and teachers to ensure that girls who have been given the first and second doses make themselves available for the third and final dose to ensure complete protection.

On the just ended measles –Rubella vaccination, he said the directorate exceeded its target of 1.013,481 and vaccinated 1,018,089 children from nine months and 14 years representing 100.5 per cent in the Region.

The exercise carried out from September 11 to September 20 was supported by the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints and Global Alliance vaccines and immunisation.

Among the problems the teams encountered were religious beliefs against vaccination and political biases but Mr Dieter said the directorate with the help of the media was able to re-orient such people leading to the high patronage.

Source: GNA