BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE – The United States of America (USA) Embassy has endorsed and congratulated the government of Eswatini on successfully launching the Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
This comes after the campaign was kicked off yesterday speaking at the launch held at Lobamba, Chargé d’Affaires Caitlin Piper mentioned that the vaccine prevents infection with HPV types that are associated with many cancers, especially cervical cancer which remains the fourth most frequent cancer in women globally.
It is further the leading cancer in women of reproductive age and the leading cause of death in women 15-44 years of age in Eswatini.
“PEPFAR, through its implementing partners, is supporting the HPV vaccine campaign that is being launched today. We are proud to bring this tool to young women in Eswatini, to give them a chance to reduce their vulnerability to this awful disease. However, vaccination is not a substitute for screening, so I like to encourage women to continue with cervical cancer screening even if they are lucky enough to receive this vaccine”, she said.
Chargé Piper appealed to parents to encourage and ensure that girls between nine and 14 years get the vaccine.
Meanwhile, Eswatini National Cancer Control Unit Xolisile Dlamini mentioned that Eswatini is among the countries with the highest cervical cancer rates in the world.
The country’s National Cancer Control Unit states that 59 per cent of female cancer cases in the country are cervical cancer, followed by prostate cancer at 30 per cent and breast cancer at 19.5 per cent.
“Unfortunately, HPV can be dormant for years in a person’s body and, therefore, by the time the person starts falling sick, the chances of saving him or her are slim to none,” she said.
In addition, she said out of the more than 500 cancer cases the unit attends annually, close to 400 people do not survive.
In 2020, 341 of these were cervical cancer and 214 female patients passed away. The other deaths were from prostate cancer, lymphoma, colon, rectal and anal cancers.
“We have noted that countries that administer the HPV vaccine experience a massive reduction in cancer mortalities and, as a result, experts have recommended that Eswatini should prioritise prevention strategies with prophylactic HPV vaccine and screening for cervical lesions,” Dlamini said.
During the 2022/2023 budget speech, the Minister of Finance, Neal Rijkenberg announced E20 million ($1.4 million) for the HPV vaccine rollout.
“Following the high burden of HPV infections and cervical cancer cases in the country, the government has budgeted E20 million and plans to introduce the HPV vaccine in schools for young girls between the ages of nine to 14 years,” the minister said.
Dlamini is positive, explaining that the presence of the HPV vaccine in the country will not only save lives but also reduce the economic burden of cancer.
Dlamini says that, by June this year, the country will be rolling out the HPV vaccine nationwide, the vaccine arrived in the country in April.
The Government conducted a study whereby a few pockets of the population were vaccinated, and the National Cancer Unit sensitised the nation on the vaccine, including highlighting the benefits and explaining the country’s cancer burden.
More than 80 000 girls are expected to get their first jab of the HPV vaccine in June, with the vaccine administered in two doses, with a six-month interval between jabs.
Meanwhile, 13-year-old Sanele Msengane, who has already received her first dose of the vaccine, said she was glad she chose her health over fear.
“I learned that the chances of the HPV in people who are HIV-positive are higher, which is why I jumped at the opportunity to be vaccinated,” she said The young girl, who was born with HIV, says that she has not experienced any illnesses after getting her jab and encourages girls her age, both HIV-positive or negative, to take the vaccine once it is fully rolled out. “Prevention is better than cure and, if it was up to me, every person would take the vaccine,” she concludes.
Courtesy Pics of U.S. Embassy Eswatini
