Allafrica
The country is set to introduce a new vaccine against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) that is expected to reduce the number of women dying of cervical cancer.
Diane Mutamba, an official in the Ministry of Health, said that the vaccination is expected to begin next month, with girls in Primary six to be the first beneficiaries.
The vaccine, known as Gardasil, is manufactured by pharmaceutical company, Merck.
“Cervical cancer is the most common cancer killer among women in Rwanda. The incidence of cervical cancer in Rwanda is 49.4/100,000. WHO estimates that about two women die each day in Rwanda from the cancer,” Mutamba said.
The cervix is the lower part of the womb which connects to the vagina. It is also called the opening of the womb. Cervical cancer occurs when cells on the cervix grow out of control.
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