Osun State Government in partnership with World Bank, has screened over 300 rural women for breast and cervical cancer across three local government areas in the state.
A 3-day sensitisation and awareness campaign program tagged Nigeria For Women Project and themed “Say No to breast and cervical cancer” was conducted in three local government areas of the state; Oke-ila in Ifedayo LGA, Ogbaagba in Olaoluwa LGA and Iwara in Atakumosa East LGA.
Speaking at the event, the State’s Governor, Ademola Adeleke, who was represented by the Director of Planning and Research for Ministry of Health, Dr Famakinwa Olalekan noted that the program is aimed at improving women’s healthy life generally since their body is prone to different ailments due to child bearing and breastfeeding.
He said the recent statistics in Nigeria revealed that there are 12000 patients who do test positive to cancer per year, 8000 patients dies before the end of the year, adding that ailments like cancer can be easily treated if discovered early enough before it gets to the last stage.
“Minimum of 100 women from each chosen Local Government areas will benefit from the free screening, while anyone found positive at the early stage of test shall be given free drugs for treatment and prevention.
“This sensitisation and awareness campaign program is being piloted in 16 States of the Federation and Osun is lucky to be among the States. This is due to the proactive measures put in place by the Governor since he took over the mantle of leadership in the State”, Famakinwa concluded.
The State’s Family Planning Coordinator, Mrs Margaret Abatan urged the beneficiaries to regularly do self breast examination by looking out for symptoms like change in color of their breast skin, lumps and others.
She added that women of age 35 and above should also go for cervical screening and endeavor to do another checkup after 6 months.
A beneficiary, Mrs Moji Aderibigbe appreciated State government and World Bank for bringing the laudable program to the grassroots for them to benefit from free of charge and prayed that God will continue to bless them.
