Ugandan comic about vaccines to prevent cancer
The Gavi website talks about a medical comic intended to promote the importance of vaccines for preventing cervical cancer, which has mainly impacted women:
The weekly clinic, staffed by Mulago health workers and students pursuing their master's degrees in paediatrics, is helped out by a younger volunteer corps. Nakyalu is welcomed by two teens stationed at the reception, tasked with assisting and educating their adolescent peers about the benefits of the HPV and tetanus vaccines.I will have to complain, however, that it's not great when a UN division's involved in a project like this, based on the corruption they're guilty of. Seriously, why must comic projects like these have any kind of participation from a movement that bad? Health issues are definitely important, and comics are a great way of discussing them, but it's bewildering why a movement that's been lenient on racism has to have any kind of connection with such comics, financially or otherwise. When will countries like Uganda understand why it pays more to develop these comics-style guides independent of any participation by the UN?
One of the volunteers, John Mckenzie Bwesigye, a 14-year-old with dreams of becoming a doctor, presents her with a comic book. "The Adventures of Adriko and Nampijja: The Value of HPV Vaccines," its title reads.
Comics to the rescue
In ten brightly illustrated pages, a lesson unfolds. Adriko, a boy of perhaps ten or 11, and Nampijja, a similarly aged girl, are finally back in school after the lockdown. Kids share their updates. Birungi excitedly reveals she received a dose of the HPV vaccine. Kintu tells the group that his aunty has recently died of cervical cancer.
The class buzzes with discussion. Teachers Martha and Moses are overwhelmed by the kids' questions: What's it for? Does it hurt? Is there any truth to the rumours that the jab can cause sterility? In the break room, over steaming cups of tea, they hatch a plan. Why not ask Birungi's dad, Nurse John, to come in and deliver a talk?
John arrives in a white uniform and confident smile. The vaccine is safe, effective, and totally free, he explains in a lively dialogue with the students.
In the real-world Mulago clinic, Nakyalu finds the comic book – which was produced by Uganda's Ministry of Health with support from partners including UNICEF and WHO – to be a delightful distraction from the anxiety of impending injections and a valuable source of education. It's a blend, she says, of comfort and knowledge.
Labels: Africa, misogyny and racism, politics, science
