Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, has approved the scaling up of cervical cancer screening from 5,000 to 35,000 women, as part of efforts to cover more eligible women in the state.
The State Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Ja’afar Muhammad, stated this when he briefed newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday.He said: “The state Governor, in his magnanimity, deliberately approved the scaling up of cervical cancer screening from 5,000 to 35,000 women, in order to give the programme state-wide coverage.“If you could recall, in July, 2021, the Kebbi state Ministry of Health, in collaboration with Medicaid Cancer Foundation (MCF), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), to conduct cervical cancer screening targeting 5,000 eligible women in the state.”
Muhammand explained that the devastating nature of cervical cancer required prompt, deliberate and decisive action, in order to prevent and control cervical cancer in women.“His Excellency believes that cancer is preventable and its detection makes it easier to treat and hence the adage, ‘early detection, early treatment and early recovery’,” he said.The commissioner added that the governor has also approved the engagement of a Consultant, to ensure the success of the programme.“Already, the state has trained about 100 health workers across the state for the programme,” Muhammad said.He called on women in the state to use the rare opportunity to partake in the programme, with a view to knowing their status.“
Traditional and religious leaders are also encouraged to sensitize the citizens, especially women on the benefits of the programme.”This is to leverage on this programme to subject themselves to the free screening and treatment provided by the programme,” the commissioner said. (NAN)
