BY JOY OFASIA
Nguvia Community High School hosted the official launch of The Big Catch-Up, a nationwide HPV vaccine campaign, attracting students, parents, and health officials.
The campaign aims to vaccinate girls aged 9 to 14 who may have missed their Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination due to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his keynote address, Minister for Health, Hon. Paul Bosowai, stressed the critical need to protect young girls from cervical cancer, which he described as “the most frequent cancer among women in the Solomon Islands.”
“This is a momentous occasion,” said Hon. Bosowai. “With the introduction of this catch-up campaign, we aim to provide protection to the most vulnerable among us and reduce the burden of cervical cancer in our country.”
He appeal to the community to get involved.
“I call upon all stakeholders—healthcare professionals, civil society organizations, churches, and the private sector—to join hands in this noble endeavor,” he said.
The Minister also addressed parents directly, urging them to support their daughters.
“Parents, if your daughter is aged between 9 and 14 and hasn’t yet received the HPV vaccine, please encourage her to do so at her school, nearest clinic, or during community outreach programs,” he said. “The HPV vaccine is one step forward in protecting our daughters’ future.”
The event featured a speech competition between students from Nguvia and Ngalibiu Community High Schools, which was won by a young female student from Nguvia. Her powerful words on the importance of health and education drew loud applause from the audience.
Health representatives from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Australian High Commission (DFAT) attended the event alongside nurses, school staff, and community members.
“Together,” Minister Bosowai concluded, “we can ensure every girl gets her vaccine and that cervical cancer becomes a thing of the past in Solomon Islands.”
