By Chukwudi Nwauba :
The World Health Organisation, (WHO) Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and the State Ministry of Health has invested Dr. Mrs Nonye Soludo, wife of the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo as Champion of Cervical Cancer in the state.
Mrs Soludo, who emphasized on the importance of early diagnosis, said that cervical cancer is medically curable when detected early.
She called for the integration of smarter technology in the treatment of cervical cancer patients, and appealed to the public to take the issue of cancer very seriously.
“Those who know me can testify that I am an advocate of healthy living and I will continue to do my best so that our people will enjoy good health.
The investiture as a Cervical Cancer Champion was done at the Governor’s Lodge Amawbia by the WHO Zonal Coordinator, Dr. Chukwumuanya Igboekwu.
The governor’s wife also called for the involvement of smarter technology and vaccines for the treatment of the illness, and urged health partners in the state to help the government in those regards.
She further appealed to the program coordinators to ensure that the screening and treatment exercises reach women in the rural areas and, especially those in communities affected by flood.
“It is important that medical personnel involved in the screening and treatment services be well-trained, while the scheme should be strategically scattered to reach more women.
WHO, Anambra State Ministry of Health and CHAI partnered to provide free screening and treatment for cervical cancer for five thousand Anambra women, in the first batch of the program.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike said that the State had no cancer database, the right partnership and necessary health logistics to tackle its emergence.
“So, through partnerships with the WHO, CHAI and other partners, plans have advanced to correct the anomalies in the state.’’
He said that the pilot program will kick off with at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Ekwulobia General, Enugwu-Ukwu and Onitsha General Hospitals while six Primary HealthCare Centres across the three senatorial districts of the state will also be engaged.
Earlier, South East Zonal Coordinator of WHO, Dr. Chukwumuanya Igboekwu said that Gov. Soludo has shown honest commitment to rebuilding the state’s health sector by coming up with strategic health policies and engaging reputable global partners.
WHO State Coordinator, Dr. Adamu Abdulnasir, reaffirmed the commitment of WHO in partnering with the state so as to improve the lives of the Ndi Anambra.
The CHAI Coordinator in Anambra, Dr. Olusegun Adewole said that his agency has provided adequate technical support for the program as well as partnering with the state in many other health initiatives.
In attendance during the event include, the wife of the Deputy Governor of the State, Mrs Oluchi Ibezim, Dr. Uju Okoye, State Coordinator Reproductive Health in the state Ministry of Health.
