By Kemi Olatunde

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The Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka  has dispelled rumour making the round that Human Papilloma Vaccine (HPV is meant to reduce fertility in young women.

He stated this at a three-day capacity building for state and local government health educators in Ondo State.

Dr Ajaka who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Francis Akanbiemu, opined that knowledge and attitude of health workers and caregivers are important to achieving heath for all.

He advised the health educators on behavioural change at individual and interpersonal levels that would make them acceptable to both caregivers and their communities of primary assignment.

Ajaka charged participants not to only believe in themselves but also believe in the health policies and campaign of government to the people, noting that they are the representatives of government at the grassroots.

He thanked UNICEF for always supporting Ondo State on Heath and other critical sectors.

In her speech, the UNICEF Social Behavioural Change (SBC) specialist in Nigeria, Mrs Aderonke Akinola said the health educators are pivotal to propagating health campaigns to the people, hence the need for the capacity building in Ondo state at this time.

According to her, the mandate of UNICEF is to ensure the healthy living of all, noting that Ondo State is a formidable driver in the health sector of the country.

Earlier, the Ondo State Health Educator, Mrs Yetunde Akinyosoye had told participants that Ondo State and two other states are benefitting from the Capacity building out of the  36 states in Nigeria.

The exercise with the theme: “social behavioural change and community engagement” has in attendance all state team of Health Educators, all the 18 local government Health Educators and their Assistants