By Chukwudi Nwauba/Nnedinma Okeke :
Wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo says that no fewer than 5,000 women in the state will benefit from free secondary Cervical Cancer Screening and treatments projects across the state.
Dr. Mrs. Soludo said this while flagging off of the six months
Cervical Cancer Prevention and Elimination Project at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka.
The project which is the initiative of the Governor’s wife is in collaboration with the Clinton Health Access initiative (CHAI) and the World Health Organisation and the State Ministry of Health (WHO).
She identified lack of screening procedure, unreliable diagnostic tools and late presentation of cases, as some of the factors contributing to high fatality rate of the disease.
“Experts and studies have shown that if diagnosed early, cervical cancer can be treated and managed.
“This is why we are collaborating with the WHO and CHAI to flag off this campaign exercise that will provide free cervical cancer screening and treatments for no fewer than 5000 women in the state.
“We are optimistic that this six months campaign will eradicate and lower the burden of cervical cancer in the state.
“We will ensure that every woman has access these services and we also urge women in the communities to come out and get tested and treated.’’
She urged women to turn out massively for the cervical cancer screening and treatment exercise in the state.
In his remarks Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, said the state government was committed to championing the fight against the killer disease.
“Cervical cancer is a preventable disease. It’s also 90 per cent curable if detected early and adequately treated.
“The state’s teaching hospital, three General hospitals and about six Primary Healthcare centres will provide the pilot programme of the cervical cancer elimination campaign,’’ Obidike said.
He explained that the programme would be sustained after the first phase, noting that women who are captured in the State Health Insurance Scheme, would have access to designated testing and treatment hospitals.
Dr. Obidike thanked the governor’s wife for her support to the programme, as well as the health partners who are leading the maiden campaign.
WHO South East Zonal Coordinator, Dr. Chukwumuanya Igboekwu, said that three hundred thousand deaths occured globally in 2018 alone as a result of cervical cancer, with low income countries being the worst hit.
“By accepting to lead the front in the campaign, the governor’s wife has reflected the determination of Anambra State government commitment to tackle cervical cancer head-on.
He noted that Anambra State is leading the way in the National health reforms, pointing out that the State Health Insurance Agency(ASHIA), stands as a reference point for heath development in Nigeria.
Dr. Adamu Abdulnasir, State Coordinator, WHO, commended the State Government for providing its counterpart funding and political will to fight cervical cancer in the state.
According to him, Anambra is one of the few leading states committed to remitting their counterpart funding. For this cervical cancer project , it is about N57 million. WHO provided N37 million while the state government promptly released N9.2million.
“We are going to hand over consumables to the state government, we will support training of personnel as well as provide technical support in terms of screening and treatments, ” he said.
Dr. Adewale Olusegun, CHAI representative, said they had provided the state with materials for Cervical Cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment.
“We are also providing technical support in terms of training of healthcare workers to identify cancerous lesions, and we will be monitoring the project in the state.
“This partnership will help us meet the Cervical Cancer Elimination target by 2030,’’ Dr. Olusegun said.
Mrs Soludo was conferred with Cervical Cancer Elimination Ambassador on October 26, 2022, in recognition of her relentless advocacy and support for the fight against cancer.
In attendance during the event include Commissioner for Special Duties, Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa, Mrs Caroline Njaka Permanent Secretary Health, Dr. Chioma Ezenyimulu, Executive Secretary Primary Healthcare Development Agency, and Managing Director State Health Insurance Agency.
Others are, Dr. Okechukwu Nnadozie, Special Adviser to the governor on Medical and Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Afam Anaeme Public Health, Head of Department and Dr. Uju Okoye, Coordinator Reproductive.
