Kenya Paediatric Research Consortium (Keprecon) via the Championing Evidence
Advocacy (CEBA) for Primary Health Care (PHC) and Reproductive Maternal Neonatal
Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNNCAH+N) has today held a
knowledge sharing meeting with Northeastern Region Religious Leaders to empower the religious leaders with knowledge to enable them become advocates for HPV vaccination.
The meeting is aimed at developing the capacity of Religious Leaders across to Northeastern region to understand how to effectively advocate for PHC and RMNCAH+N specifically HPV
Vaccine effectively and use a variety of advocacy tools and techniques to implement a successful advocacy program to demistify the myths surrounding bthe vaccines.
This meeting four main agendas includes demonstrating awareness and understanding of the importance of HPV Vaccination in preventing cervical cancer,Address and clarify cultural and religious concerns around the HPV vaccine to
foster community acceptance,Strengthen the role of Religious Leaders as advocates for HP vaccination uptake within their counties
and to continue reinforcing the message acceptance of policies and working towards
enhancing local funding for RMNCH+N program in entirety.
According to the leaders the reason for the lack of
information by these communities stem from not being informed.Keprecon has rolled out this knowledge sharing session to ensure that those who have information share this knowledge to those who are able to advocate for these issues.
Leaders from the Northeastern region have reported that the immunization rate of
both routine vaccines and for HPV vaccines is low.
The meeting was attended Deputy Governor of Mandera, two first ladies from Wajir and Isiolo and leaders in the county government healthcare departments.
