HFAC-SL Engages School Girls to Support National HPV MAC Campaign

HFAC-SL Engages School Girls to Support National HPV MAC Campaign

The Health For All Coalition Sierra Leone (HFAC-SL), a prominent Civil Society Organization dedicated to promoting health accountability and advocacy, conducted an engagement session with pupils at St. Joseph Convent School in Freetown on Friday, 14th November 2025. This initiative was financially supported by GAVI through the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) as part of their contribution to the National Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Mass Administration Campaign (MAC).

The primary objective of the session was to sensitize, educate, and inform students about the forthcoming National HPV MAC Campaign, which is scheduled to run from November 11 to 23, 2025, targeting girls aged 11 to 18 years nationwide.

The engagement was characterized by its educational, interactive, and informative nature. The HFAC-SL team provided comprehensive education on HPV, its established link to cervical cancer, including the causes, effects, and necessary preventive measures to secure a healthier future for young women.

Students were clearly informed that the HPV vaccine is safe, reliable, and available at no cost for girls within the designated age group. The HFAC-SL team strongly encouraged all eligible girls, particularly those who have not yet been vaccinated, to utilize this opportunity to protect themselves against cervical cancer.

School administrators were urged to fully support the campaign by establishing a supportive environment for health workers to conduct vaccination activities smoothly and to monitor the girls to ensure the successful implementation of the campaign.

Furthermore, the team encouraged the pupils to maintain focus on their education, study diligently, achieve success in their examinations, and honor their parents. They were advised to abstain from premature sexual activity and to make informed decisions regarding their health and overall well-being.

The session concluded with an active question-and-answer segment, during which students sought clarification on various matters. The HFAC-SL team delivered clear and satisfactory responses to all inquiries raised.