Govt to roll out cervical cancer vaccination

ZIMBABWE will run a vaccination programme against cervical cancer for children aged between 10 and 14 over a fourday period in mid-May this year, a senior health official has said.

Mrs Eunice Tendai Nyamadzawo, sister-in-charge at Sakubva Hospital, said this on Tuesday at Mutare District’s International Women’s Day commemorations held at Batanai Primary School in Odzi. The celebrations were held under the auspices of the Ministry of Women and Youth Affairs.

Sister Nyamadzawo said vaccination involves the administration of Cervarix, a drug that helps prevent cervical cancer.

“In Zimbabwe, statistics indicate that 14 out of 100 women aged 20 to 34 have cervical cancer, while 24 out of 100 women aged 45 to 54 years have cervical cancer.

“Cervical cancer can be prevented through vaccination and abstinence from sex. The vaccination programme has already kicked off in Marondera and Beitbridge, and some children have already been vaccinated,” she said.

Sister Nyamadzawo also encouraged women to avoid having multiple sexual partners and help to end child marriages.

Manicaland provincial head in the Ministry of Women and Youth Affairs and guest of honour for the event, Ms Theresa Mupanduki, also encouraged women to work hard and support each other.