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Locadia Mavhudzi Midlands Correspondent
The second phase of the Human Pappilloma Vaccination (HPV) programme against cervical cancer has started smoothly in most parts of the Midlands Province, with health teams visiting schools and health centres to administer the HPV Vaccine to girls in the 10 to 15 years age group who were vaccinated last year.

Gweru District nursing officer Sister Teresia Shumba said the second phase of the vaccination programme started on Monday and will be ending this Friday.

“The programme started smoothly, we visited schools and clinics around Gweru and the response has been overwhelming. We do not anticipate any challenges because thorough preparations were done prior to the programme. Government has already secured and allocated enough fuel for the whole programme such that all areas will be covered.”

The national (HPV) vaccination programme was launched last year in Mutare by the First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa and is expected to benefit over 800 000 girls aged between 10 and 14. Midlands Province is targeting to vaccinate 120 000 girls.
Over 1 195 primary and secondary public and private schools in Midlands Province will be reached. The Ministry of Health and Child Care in collaboration with partners has provided much-needed resources in the form of manpower, fuel, vehicles and other logistics for the smooth roll out of the programme