Month: January 2026

By Moshood Isah

Losing a child to a vaccine-preventable disease brings a pain that words can barely capture. For parents like Maman Fati, the grief is made even heavier by the knowledge that protection was once within reach. The memory of watching a child fade from an illness that could have been prevented is a lifelong burden that transforms sorrow into resolve, turning loss into a call to protect other children from the same fate.

Popularly known as Maman Fati (Fatima’s mother), Maryama Usman is a middle-aged resident of Ungogo Local Government Area in Kano State. “Refusing to vaccinate your child has huge consequences. I have experienced this firsthand and learned the very hard way, due to my negligence,” an emotional Maryam recalls, reflecting on the loss of her daughter to vaccine-preventable diphtheria. 

Interestingly, Maman Fati was never a vaccine-defaulter. “I have always vaccinated all my children, but sadly, I missed the vaccination of this last child and we paid dearly with her demise.” Her only daughter who missed vaccination eventually succumbed to the illness a few months ago. “Before her death, my daughter battled chronic malaria, epileptic-like conditions, swelling and stiffness of the neck. She ultimately lost her battle  to diphtheria because she had not been vaccinated,” she added.

Yet, Maman Fati did not allow grief to consume her. Instead, she renewed her determination not only to ensure that all her children and herself were vaccinated, but also that all eligible children in her community were protected. During the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) intensification campaign led by eHealth Africa in Kano State, Maryam actively ensured that eligible girls in her community received the HPV vaccine. “The myth that vaccination causes infertility in women is false. I vaccinated all my other daughters, and they are healthy, married, and giving birth to my grandchildren,” she emphasized.

Maman Fati has vowed to stay vaccinated herself and to consistently lead advocacy efforts to increase vaccination coverage in her community. “I am pleading with our women and caregivers to always take their children for vaccination,” she urged. 

Her passionate plea was preceded by a co-created awareness campaign on HPV vaccination, led by eHealth Africa and supported by United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Kano and surrounding areas. The awareness sessions targeted caregivers, state and LGA gatekeepers and Routine Immunization providers educating them about the dangers of HPV, particularly for girls aged 9–11 years.  After thesessions eHealth Africa team immediately conducted a strategic HPV intensification vaccination in schools and communities especially for young girls of 9-years old. 

The Project Manager, Salahudeen Sambo, noted that his team followed the awareness sessions with an intensive HPV vaccination campaign across communities. “We have observed a shift in behavior among caregivers and community members; from skepticism about vaccination to a strong demand for vaccines. Currently we are even experiencing vaccine stockout for HPV in Kano and Bauchi state.  Thus, we call on all stakeholders to continue supporting efforts to protect young girls from HPV so they can lead healthy lives,” he said.

UNICEF has consistently emphasized that the HPV vaccine is safe and effective, protecting against HPV, the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) worldwide and a leading cause of cervical cancer. The vaccine helps prevent cancers and genital warts caused by the virus and is recommended for children from 9 to 26 years of age. Early vaccination is essential to protect children before exposure to the virus.

Maman Fati’s story is a powerful reminder that loss can fuel change. From personal tragedy, she has become a beacon of hope and action, ensuring that no other child in her community suffers the same fate. Her courage and advocacy highlight the lifesaving power of vaccines and the profound impact one determined individual can have in safeguarding the health of an entire community.

Moshood Isah

Alvina Anyawu, a Kano resident, is still struggling to come to terms with the painful experience her neighbor endured after being diagnosed with cancer. According to Alvina, her neighbor first noticed lumps in her breast a few years ago. Following a series of medical examinations, doctors confirmed the diagnosis and recommended immediate medical intervention.

Since then, her neighbor had been in and out of hospitals for treatment. The situation was believed to have worsened because the disease was not detected early enough, allowing it to escalate before proper intervention. “She kept going to the hospital and receiving treatment, but her condition continued to get worse as the days passed,” Alvina recalled.

Almost helpless, Alvina watched her neighbor cry nearly every night due to excruciating pain. “Every night, she would wake up crying and screaming from pain, heat, and other discomforts,” she said. Despite undergoing a mastectomy and receiving follow-up treatments at multiple medical facilities, Alvina’s neighbor eventually succumbed to the illness a few months ago. “What happened to my neighbor was extremely painful, and I wouldn’t wish such an experience on anyone,” she added.

Speaking further, Alvina emphasized the reality and severity of cancer. “I want everyone to know that cervical cancer and indeed all forms of cancer, is real and very deadly,” she said.

In Nigeria, for instance, cervical cancer is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women aged 15 to 44, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). As of 2020, the country recorded approximately 12,000 new cases and up to 8,000 deaths from cervical cancer annually.

Recent research also shows that awareness of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine remains relatively low, with only 13.7% of eligible women having received at least one dose. Barriers such as high cost, limited public health infrastructure, cultural beliefs, and lack of information continue to hinder vaccine uptake. In response, eHealth Africa and UNICEF are taking deliberate steps not only to make vaccines more accessible but also to educate caregivers, healthcare workers, and key stakeholders on the importance of preventive immunization.

The HPV intensification campaign led by eHealth Africa in Kano State and surrounding areas began with a co-creation and awareness session involving caregivers, schoolteachers, community leaders, government officials, and public healthcare personnel. According to the Project Manager, Salahudeen Sambo, the session provided a rare platform for open dialogue on the dangers of HPV and the urgency of vaccination. “It also empowered caregivers to return to their communities and educate their neighbors on the importance of HPV vaccination,” he explained.

Engagement with multiple stakeholders and community gatekeepers significantly reduced vaccine non-compliance. Across communities and schools, teachers and community leaders championed advocacy efforts to promote HPV vaccination. “I had my fears and questions, like many parents do, but learning the facts helped me choose prevention,” said Chidinma Anyigbo, a school head teacher in Kano. “Protecting our children today means giving them a healthier and safer future.” As a result, when the eHealth Africa vaccination team visited her school, she ensured that girls aged nine and above were vaccinated.

Similarly, Nasiru Muhammed, a village head in Kano, reiterated the impact of the awareness campaign in improving vaccine acceptance within his community. “We were invited to an awareness seminar where we learned in detail about HPV and the importance of vaccination,” he said. He added that community leaders have since taken the message back to their people. “We have successfully educated our communities on the urgency of preventing HPV and its impact, especially on young girls and adolescents.”

Stakeholders have therefore called for further decentralization of awareness campaigns to Local Government and last-mile community levels, as poor awareness and persistent immunization myths continue to leave many communities unprotected. This lack of understanding has contributed to low vaccine uptake, leading to preventable suffering and deaths during outbreaks such as diphtheria, which claimed the lives of young children and adolescents. These tragic experiences have, in turn, driven increased acceptance of vaccination against other potentially deadly diseases.

As January marks Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, eHealth Africa’s HPV intensification efforts in Kano State highlight what is possible when prevention is prioritized through informed policy, sustained funding, and community trust. By combining grassroots engagement with school-based vaccination and strong partnerships with government and UNICEF, the initiative is closing critical awareness gaps and protecting girls aged nine and above before exposure to HPV.

The results underscore a clear imperative for policymakers and donors: investing in decentralized, last-mile vaccination and community education saves lives, reduces long-term healthcare costs, and prevents the avoidable suffering that continues to claim thousands of women each year in Nigeria.