Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni has urged parents to ensure their daughters receive the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine as a critical step in preventing cervical cancer.
Speaking during a church service in Kirinyaga, Muthoni emphasized the government’s commitment to vaccinating all girls aged 10 to 14 years, particularly during January, which marks Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. She highlighted the Ministry of Health’s ongoing awareness campaigns, spearheaded by Community Health Promoters (CHPs), to educate communities nationwide.
“The vaccine is safe, and parents should not fear. We encourage them to take their children to health facilities for the shot,” Muthoni assured, addressing concerns about vaccine safety.
The PS also underscored the importance of regular cervical cancer screenings for women aged 25 to 49 years, advocating for screenings every five years to detect precancerous changes early. “Early detection allows timely treatment, which significantly improves outcomes,” she noted.
Anglican Church Bishop Joseph Kibucwa of the Kirinyaga Diocese echoed Muthoni’s sentiments, urging churches to play an active role in promoting cervical cancer awareness. “Churches should encourage women to undergo early screening and support HPV vaccination for girls,” he said, adding that early detection alleviates the financial burden of cancer treatment. He also pledged the church’s partnership with the government in creating awareness across all congregations.
The HPV vaccine, introduced in Kenya in 2019, is part of the government’s strategy to curb cervical cancer. Experts warn that cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women aged 15 to 44 years in Kenya, with an estimated 5,250 new cases and 3,286 deaths reported annually.
With 10.3 million Kenyan women at risk of developing cervical cancer, Muthoni and Bishop Kibucwa also urged residents to register with the Social Health Authority to improve access to healthcare services.
