Laoag: Girls aged 9 to 14 years old in this city's schools are encouraged to avail of the first dose of the free anti-human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine during a vaccination drive and screening being held at the Laoag Centennial Arena. The three-day event, from July 1 to 3, is spearheaded by the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Northern Luzon to ensure a safer and healthier future for the women and children of Ilocos Norte.
According to Philippines News Agency, "With this initiative, we plan to vaccinate these 3,000 young girls with their first dose of HPV vaccine and later on, 7,000 young girls in the entire province of Ilocos Norte," Presidential Assistant for Northern Luzon Ana Carmela Remigio said in her speech. HPV is the primary cause of cervical cancer. Remigio said women aged 30 to 65 will also be provided with free cervical and breast cancer screening tests for early detection and treatment.
The initiative is backed by the Office of Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos and partners from the Department of Health (DOH), academe, local government units, and socio-civic organizations. By boosting public awareness and services to prevent cervical cancer, Dr. Paula Sydiongco, director of the DOH - Center for Health and Development 1 (Ilocos Region), said the program embodies the collective commitment to promote the health and welfare of women and children, which she said has a multiplier effect in the healthcare system.
She also lauded the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders in the province to combat cervical cancer, which can be prevented and treated with greater awareness and early detection. In the Philippines, cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer and the fourth leading cause of death from cancer in women, with 37.8 million Filipino women remaining at risk.
Data from the regional health office showed that of the 12,206 women who have undergone cervical cancer screening in the region this year, 630 tested positive. In Ilocos Norte, 179 out of the 2,459 recently screened tested positive for cervical cancer.
