LEAH Foundation’s Powerful Campaign Spurs Massive HPV Vaccination Drive in Kwara State

In a dedicated effort to promote public health and protect the future of young girls, the LEAH Foundation led by our founder, Her excellency, Dr. Omolewa Ahmed has successfully concluded a two-month advocacy and sensitization campaign across Moro Local Government Area (LGA) in Kwara State. The campaign aimed to raise awareness about the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and its crucial role in preventing cervical cancer.

The campaign’s grand finale was marked by an enthusiastic rally held at Malete Ward, which saw substantial community involvement and support. This event celebrated the culmination of the LEAH Foundation’s outreach efforts, focusing on educating parents and guardians about the significance of the HPV vaccine and motivating them to ensure their eligible daughters receive this essential immunization.

The HPV vaccine, provided free of charge to girls aged 9-14, will be administered across 20 other states in the federation. This nationwide initiative highlights the commitment of health authorities and supporting organizations to combat cervical cancer through preventive measures.

The rally began with a courtesy visit to the Daudu who is the head of traditional leaders in Malete, where Deaconess Ahmed highlighted the role of the leaders in acceptance of this vaccine, and the importance of fighting the dreaded scourge, she also emphasized the role of screening of women of reproductive age and early treatment.

This was followed by a visit to the local market, where the market women were encouraged by Leah foundation volunteers, vaccine champions as well as our founder to bring their wards out en masse when the roll out begins. Her Excellency also made a promise not to forget mothers as there would be arrangements to conduct free screenings within the community later this year as a major project embarked on by the foundation.

A 2 km awareness walk was carried out which included house-to-house and shop-to-shop sensitization, along with community engagement activities targeting parents, caregivers, and adolescent girls.

The official commencement of the HPV vaccination took place on May 27, 2024. This initiative represents a significant step towards enhancing public health and ensuring a healthier future for the next generation of Nigerian women.