By Peter Agengre
The fight against cervical cancer in Ghana has taken a major step forward as the HPV vaccination campaign continues to make significant progress in the Upper East Region. The Bolgatanga East District Director of Health Services, Madam Maria Mahama, has disclosed that the district has achieved an impressive 72% coverage in the ongoing HPV vaccination exercise. She described the milestone as a major success in efforts to protect young girls from the Human Papillomavirus — a leading cause of cervical cancer.
“So far, so good. We have visited a lot of schools, and we are hoping to complete our school catchment by Friday. We are encouraged by the response from the community. Achieving 72% is a testament to what is possible when everyone plays their part,” she stated.
Madam Mahama attributed the success to strong community engagement, support from schools, and the dedication of healthcare workers. She noted that local health teams have been working tirelessly, going from school to school and engaging parents directly to dispel myths and encourage participation.
The vaccine is being administered to girls aged 9 to 14, with the goal of providing long-term protection before potential exposure. Despite the progress, the Health Directorate says the target is to reach at least 90% coverage before the end of the campaign.
Teams are currently intensifying efforts in hard-to-reach areas, and residents are being urged to support the final push to ensure that every eligible girl is vaccinated, protecting future generations from preventable diseases.
