Anakalusugan Party-list Rep. Ray Reyes on Monday called on the Department of Health (DOH) to create better access to the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines to help eliminate cervical cancer in the country.

“We need to include HPV vaccines in our list of priorities as we continue to expand our Universal Health Care coverage. Vaccines combined with regular screening, are considered the most effective way for women to help prevent cervical cancer,” Reyes said.

DOH records showed that cervical cancer is the second most common cancer affecting women, with an estimated 7,277 new cases and 3,807 deaths yearly.

“The numbers are very concerning. We recognize the initiatives rolled out by the government in promoting HPV vaccines but much more needs to be done to make these vaccines more accessible to Filipino girls,” Reyes said.

In 2014, the Philippine government included HPV vaccination in its national immunization program.

To date, there are 52 provinces, 64 cities and one municipality where the vaccination program is being implemented.

However, the HPV vaccine coverage in the country showed less than 30 percent of girls aged 9 years have been immunized.

“For diseases like cervical cancer, primary prevention and early detection are critical,” Reyes said. “We need to continue to promote primary prevention through HPV vaccination and accelerate HPV vaccine access coverage especially in the provinces”.

Apart from better access to HPV vaccines, the lawmaker also reiterated Anakalusugan Party-list’s call to build more specialized centers in the provinces.

Reyes said the House Bill (HB) No 3134, or the Regional Specialty Hospital Act, should be immediately passed by the House of Representatives so that those who are in the provinces could have easier access to specialized medical and healthcare services. (PNA)