The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has intensified efforts to combat cervical cancer with the launch of a colposcopy machine for early detection and treatment at Wuse General Hospital.
READ ALSO:Cervical cancer: FCTA gets first colposcopy center
During the commissioning, the Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment Secretariat Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, emphasized the importance of the facility. “This is the first colposcopy center in FCT general hospitals and a referral point for public and private hospitals”. She said.
Dr. Fasawe highlighted cervical cancer as a major health concern, noting that it is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Nigerian women aged 15-44 years. “In 2020 alone, Nigeria recorded 12,000 new cases and 8,000 deaths”.
Commending FCT Minister Barrister Nyesom Wike for his commitment to healthcare, she also praised Nordica Fertility Centre for donating the machine. She urged other organizations to support similar initiatives.
The colposcopy suite will provide free services to all female staff of FCT general hospitals until January 2025, announced Dr. Oluseyi Ashaolu, Medical Director of Wuse General Hospital. He noted that the procedures will be handled by gynecologic oncology specialists.
Dr. Ashaolu outlined available treatments, including thermal ablation, Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP), and definitive surgeries for patients with abnormal findings.
Cervical cancer, which has a pre-malignant phase of 10-15 years, offers a critical window for early detection. Screening methods include the Papanicolaou (Pap) smear and the advanced colposcopy procedure for identifying abnormal cervical lesions.
Dr. Fasawe encouraged women of reproductive age to utilize the service, stressing the importance of regular screenings to reduce preventable deaths.
The FCTA’s initiative represents a significant step in reducing the burden of cervical cancer through early intervention and treatment access for women across the FCT.
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