Anambra State Governor’s wife, Mrs Nonye Soludo has affirmed free cervical screening and treatment for women across the state.
The first lady called on women and girls to participate actively in the exercise since both screening and treatment are free.
Mrs Soludo who made the call in Awka, the state capital while assessing the exercise so far, said that though an appreciable number of women are showing interest in the ongoing programme, she still looks forward to seeing more women and girls take part in the exercise.
While restating how crucial the exercise is to defeating cervical cancer, Mrs Soludo explained that the six-month time frame for the current programme is long enough to accommodate more women irrespective of their schedules and locations.
Mrs Soludo also commended health workers who are providing the services.
She urged them to give every woman equal priority and to ensure that those whose results come out positive are well catered for.
She further urged parents to ensure that all their girl children in their reproductive age also get screened, assuring that the designated health facilities for the screening and treatment processes boast adequate human and technical expertise.
WHO partnership
Anambra State Ministry of Health in partnership with the World Health Organization, WHO, and others had last year, kicked off free cervical cancer screening and treatment for five thousand women and girls in the state.
Read Also:WHO Plans To Establish TB Vaccine Accelerator Council
The programme which is scheduled to last for six months in its first batch will continue in subsequent folds but to be enjoyed only by women who are registered with the Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme.
Twenty-five accessible health facilities have also been selected for the exercise with plans to increase the number in due course.
The centres are Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital Amaku, Awka, General Hospital, Enugwu Ukwu, General Hospital, Umueri, General Hospital, Ekwulobia, Primary Health Centre, Ozalla Isuofia, Primary Health Centre, Nkwelle Umunachi.
Others are Primary Health Centre, Akwaeze, Primary Health Centre, Eziani, Primary Health Centre Atani One, Primary Health Centre, Atani Two, Primary Health Centre, Nawfia, Maternal and Child Health Centre, Amawbia, Maternal and Primary Health Centre, Nkpor Uno, among others.
Emmanuel Ukoh
