The wife of Anambra state Governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo, has called for the integration of smarter technology in the treatment of cervical cancer.
Mrs Soludo, stated this in Awka during her investiture as a Cervical Cancer Champion in Anambra State by the World Health Organization (WHO), Anambra State Ministry of Health and Clinton Health Assess Initiative (CHAI).
According to the statement released by Daniel Ezeigwe, press secretary to Nonye Soludo, WHO, Anambra State Ministry of Health and CHAI have groomed a joint partnership to provide free screening and treatment for cervical cancer for five thousand Anambra women, in the first batch of the program.
Speaking shortly after her official decoration, Mrs Soludo re-emphasized the importance of early diagnosis, considering the fact that cervical cancer is medically curable if discovered early.
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 most importantly those in communities affected by flood. She also said that it is imperative that medical personnel involved in the screening and treatment services be well-trained, while the scheme should be strategically scattered to reach more women.
Earlier, the South East Zonal Coordinator of WHO, Dr Chukwumuanya Igboekwu and his Anambra State counterpart, Dr Adamu Abdulnasir, said that Anambra State government, under the present administration has shown honest commitment to rebuilding the state’s health sector by coming up with strategic health policies and engaging reputable global partners.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike on his part said that prior to this time, Anambra State had no cancer database nor the right partnership and necessary health logistics to tackle its emergence, but that through partnerships with WHO and other bodies, plans have advanced to correct the anomalies. He said that the pilot program will kick off with three teaching hospitals and six primary health care centres across the three senatorial districts of the state.
The CHAI Coordinator for Anambra State, 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. Wife of the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Mrs Oluchi Ibezim, was present at the event.
