Findings by HealthWise have revealed that major government-owned hospitals in Lagos State lack the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine, which protects women and girls against cervical cancer. This situation has left many mothers frustrated, as they struggle to secure vaccinations for their daughters. Experts attribute the scarcity of the vaccine to government shortcomings.
One such mother, Mrs. Abigail Joseph, a Lagos businesswoman, expressed her disappointment over her inability to vaccinate her 14-year-old daughter against cervical cancer. Despite her efforts to raise the N20,000 needed for the vaccine, she has been unable to obtain it since August 2022 due to its unavailability in major government hospitals. “Each time I take my daughter to the hospital for the HPV vaccine, the nurses tell me, ‘Madam, the vaccine is not available, and we don’t know when it will be,’” she shared. Mrs. Joseph, who has four children, is particularly motivated to protect her daughter because she lost a friend to cervical cancer. She learned about the importance of the HPV vaccine during her friend’s burial and is determined to do everything possible to safeguard her daughter from this preventable disease.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly all cases of cervical cancer can be attributed to HPV infection, with over 95 percent of cervical cancer cases caused by this virus. The WHO emphasizes that vaccination against HPV, along with screening and treatment of pre-cancer lesions, is a cost-effective strategy for preventing cervical cancer. The organization recommends vaccinating girls aged 9 to 14 years, as this is when most have not yet begun sexual activity. Experts highlight that the HPV vaccine is 97 percent effective in preventing cervical cancer and related cell changes, yet lament its unavailability in the country.
Mrs. Joseph recounted her attempts to secure the vaccine for her daughter. After visiting the General Hospital in Gbagada in August 2022, they were directed to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). When they arrived at LUTH, the nurses at the immunization ward informed them that the HPV vaccine was also unavailable. They mentioned that the vaccine’s scarcity in the country depended on the supplier, and suggested trying private hospitals, where the cost could reach up to N35,000, compared to N15,000 at LUTH.
Due to the high costs associated with private hospitals, Mrs. Joseph and her daughter did not pursue that option. “A poor man cannot access healthcare out of pocket in a big private hospital in Lagos,” she stated. In November, they attempted to get the vaccine at LASUTH, only to receive the same disappointing news. The nurses explained that many mothers were inquiring about the vaccine, and one nurse advised her to direct her complaints to the government, as they were not responsible for procuring the vaccine.
Despite her frustrations, Mrs. Joseph returned to LASUTH on January 19, 2023, but was again told that the vaccine was not available. She visited the hospital again the following week, only to hear the same response. “If by the end of March I am unable to get my daughter vaccinated, I will have to reinvest the money I set aside for the vaccine into my vegetable business,” she said. As the sole provider for her four children following her husband’s death, she feels the weight of this responsibility. Mrs. Joseph only learned about the HPV vaccine’s existence during her friend’s burial in April 2022, highlighting the critical need for awareness and accessibility of preventive healthcare measures.
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