President Chakwera Urges Girls to Get HPV Vaccine to Prevent Cervical Cancer
As part of the commemoration event, World Bicycle Relief donated 20 bicycles to Likoma District Council for health surveillance assistants on Likoma and Chizumulu Islands.
Likoma Island, Malawi — President Lazarus Chakwera has called on girls aged from nine to 14 to get the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to prevent cervical cancer, write Ireen Mseteka and George Mponda, MANA.
Speaking at the commemoration of National Community Health Day (NCHD) on Likoma Island, Chakwera emphasized the importance of this life-saving vaccine in the fight against cervical cancer.
The President, visiting Likoma District for the first time since taking office, noted that the HPV vaccine is available for free in all public and Christian Health Association of Malawi (CHAM) health facilities.
It is administered once in a girl's lifetime.
Chakwera urged mothers and caregivers to support young girls in getting vaccinated, emphasizing his government's commitment to fostering development and health for all Malawians, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, or religion.
Chakwera acknowledged the support of various development partners in the country's community health agenda and encouraged their continued assistance in achieving national and international health goals and targets.
During his visit, the President and First Lady Monica Chakwera inspected various development projects, including the Likoma Solar Power Plant, Chima Out-Patient Department at Chima Health Centre, and Likoma Port, currently under construction.
United Nations Resident Coordinator for Malawi, Rebecca Adda Dontoh, reiterated the UN's commitment to quality health service delivery and human rights protection.
She emphasized that Malawi has the world's highest cervical cancer cases and mortality rate but has the tools to change this narrative, making the re-launch of the HPV campaign a critical demonstration of the government's commitment to promoting people's health.
As part of the commemoration event, World Bicycle Relief donated 20 bicycles to Likoma District Council for health surveillance assistants on Likoma and Chizumulu Islands.
National Community Health Day is observed in Malawi on October 9th each year, with this year's theme being 'Tigwirane Manja Potukula Zaumoyo Mudera Lathu,' emphasizing community collaboration for a better life.