Hussaini Kafi in Kano
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that 430,000 Nigerian women died of cervical cancer in 2020 out of 600,000 recorded infections.
Health Specialist at the UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Dr David Audu, disclosed this in Bauchi during the launch of the 2025 first round of the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW) and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign.
“Cervical cancer remains a deadly disease, and 90 per cent of global deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria. The HPV vaccine is the most effective form of prevention,” Audu said.
Chair of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Board, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, said the campaign also offers Vitamin A, deworming, nutrition support, and birth registration.
WHO’s Dr Yarima Kucici noted that one Nigerian mother dies every seven minutes from pregnancy-related complications, urging stronger interventions.
