Health
THE Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, on Thursday canvassed support for scientists and researchers in identifying the cervical cancer variants affecting Nigerians.
Abayomi expressed the support through his Facebook account @ProfAkinolaAbayomi, while giving an update on his remarks at the press conference on Cervical Cancer-Free Nigeria (CCFN) campaign.
He said that such identified cervical cancer variants should be targeted for more effective and efficient management.
Cervical Cancer-Free Nigeria (CCFN) campaign is an initiative of Global Oncology (GO), a US-based non-profit organisation supported by the Stanford University.
Abayomi said the conference was hosted by former President Olusegun Obasanjo on his appointment as the Presidential Ambassador for the campaign.
The commissioner emphasised the significant role which Obasanjo could play in encouraging Nigerian scientists and researchers to identify the variants in the environment.
“It is imperative to reiterate that it is not good enough for vaccines to be produced outside of the shores of the country without the involvement of our scientists and researchers.
“There is the need for local studies documenting the effects of these vaccines on our people before widespread inoculations are carried out.
“This has become important as Nigeria considers local production of vaccines,” Abayomi said.
He lauded the initiative aimed at addressing the disease that was rampant among women which, in most cases, leads to high mortality.
According to him, in spite of the fact that the disease is preventable and can be treated, it continues to take the lives of more people than the COVID-19.
Abayomi, however, noted that the disease still does not get the same attention as COVID-19.
“Cervical cancer is caused by the Human Papilloma Virus similar to COVID-19 and has many variants, thus presenting a biosecurity threat to our environment,” he said. (NAN)
– July 15, 2021 @ 17:05 GMT
Tags: Cervical Cancer: Lagos Commissioner backs Nigerian scientists
