Hon. Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe champions nationwide HPV vaccination to prevent cervical cancer among girls

The Member of Parliament for Ada and Deputy Majority Whip, Hon. Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe, has called on Ghanaians to fully support the national introduction of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into Ghana’s routine immunisation programme.

She made this passionate appeal during a statement on the floor of Parliament, explaining the urgent need to protect girls and women from cervical cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among Ghanaian women.

Speaking on behalf of the Women’s Caucus in Parliament, Hon. Comfortn Doyoe Cudjoe commended the Government of Ghana, the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service, and all development partners for their leadership in rolling out this life-saving initiative. The vaccine, which is now available free of charge to girls aged 9 to 14 years, represents a bold and gender-responsive step toward reducing preventable deaths among women.

She lamented that Ghana continues to lose over 2,000 women annually to cervical cancer not due to the absence of medicine, but because of limited awareness, poor access to vaccines, and lack of early screening.

“When a woman suffers from cervical cancer, the impact extends far beyond her own life. It affects her children, her family, her livelihood, and the entire community.”

Hon. Doyoe Cudjoe expressed solidarity with women and families who have faced the pain of cervical cancer, offering words of encouragement to survivors and those still battling the disease.

“To my brave women who are still fighting, your courage inspires us every single day. You are not alone.”

Reaffirming that cervical cancer is preventable, she urged all stakeholders to join hands to make the HPV vaccination campaign a success. She called on:

• Parents and caregivers to ensure their daughters are vaccinated.

• Teachers and school heads to support health teams during vaccination sessions.

• Religious and traditional leaders to dispel myths and misinformation.

• Media practitioners to share accurate information and amplify survivor stories.

• Members of Parliament, especially the men, to advocate in their constituencies for high vaccine uptake and sustained investment in women’s health.

Hon. Doyoe Cudjoe also clarified that the HPV vaccine is safe and effective, noting that it has been available in private health facilities for years. However, the government’s decision to provide it free of charge under the national immunisation programme marks a major milestone in public health equity.

She said, “No woman should suffer when we can protect her before the danger begins. No girl should die from something we have the power to stop. The time to act is now. Protect our girls. Vaccinate. Save lives.”

Source: Elvisanokyenews.net/ Emmanuel Anyigba, Parliamentary Correspondent Bryt TV