Anambra state: over 7,150 Women Benefit From Free Cervical Cancer Test
By Chinwe Onuigbo, Awka
In Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria, no fewer than 7,150 women have benefited from the free Cervical Cancer Screening tests sponsored by Governor Charles Soludo’s led administration.
The State Coordinator Reproductive Health, Dr. Uju Okoye said that State government has kicked off the second phase of the exercise.
Dr. Okoye during the training of new health workers that will participate in the Cervical Cancer Screening free tests exercise applauded the governor for his support.
According to Dr. Okoye, last year, the wife of the governor of Anambra state, Mrs. Nonye Soludo who is a cervical cancer champion facilitated the free screening and treatment of women in the state with a target of 5000, and that within six months, they had screened 7159 with 120 of them as cervical cancer suspects and are currently undergoing treatments.
She noted that, “As a result of the success of the first phase of the exercise, Governor Chukwuma Soludo approved for the second phase in order to capture more women and thereby expanding their screening facilities from initial 25 to 45, which necessitated the training of the health workers in the new facilities for them to be equipped with all they need to know about the disease for a seamless job to be done.”
Dr. Chinedu Agu, from the Federal Medical Centre Onitsha, who is the trainer explained that cervical cancer could be genetic, noting that there are other things that can predispose a woman to having the disease, like early intercourse as well as early bearing of children.
Dr. Agu said, “The major infection that causes the disease is Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), according to him is sexually transmitted.
“The virus can be stopped through vaccination of young girls which is currently ongoing.”
One of the participants, Mrs. Loretta Olisah, from Primary Health Care Centre, Oba Two in Idemili South Local Government Area, said that what she has learnt from the training has properly positioned her to discharge her duties effectively and efficiently.
