By Amaka Amaka
Enugu State Government has restated its resolve to support a comprehensive approach to detect, prevent and treat cervical cancer in the state.
This it will achieve by providing effective interventions to women and girls throughout their life span.
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi gave the indication in an event to mark this year’s World Cancer Day, held at the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Park Lane GRA Enugu.
The event which was preceded by a road walk within Enugu metropolis had the theme: ’’Working Hard to Reduce the Care”
Represented by the Executive Secretary Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency, (ESPHCDA), Doctor George Ugwu, Ugwuanyi explained that effective partnership between the Agency and International Organisations focuses more on cervical Cancer among young girls and older women.
He said ” in line with the mandate of the Agency to observe the health needs and do what was necessary in preventive health and health care of rural dwellers, there was need to ensure that sexually active women
were free from cervical Cancer, which had been identified as one of the leading causes of death.”
While noting that early detection of cancer guarantees effective treatment he continued “three hundred doses of vaccines for cervical cancer had been received from our international partner for young girls between nine and fifteen years, who had not been sexually exposed as well as older women who have been screened and confirmed negative.”
He further stated “we are not only creating awareness, we are also screening free of charge. I must thank in a special way, the Medical Women Association of Nigeria and Breast Without Spot who have been working with us to fight cancer of the cervix and breast cancer. We want all the women in Enugu state and infact Nigeria to be screened, that way we will be able to close the care gap ”
Dr Ugwu noted “as we create the awareness, as we do the screening, we are happy that we have also started the vaccination, but if you do not do any of this and you call or come to us when the disease has advanced, it is a helpless situation”
The Executive Secretary ESPHCDA expressed appreciation to the state governor, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and partners for an active support towards improving the health needs of the people.
Also the Senior Personal Assistant to the governor on Diaspora, Mrs Olangwa Ezekwu noted that a health survey in 2021 reported that about eight thousand (8,000) out of twelve thousand (12,000) women screened annually for cervical cancer die of the disease.
In a remark, the Chairman, Enugu State House Committee on Health, Mr Sam Ngene pledged the continued support of lawmakers through policies and programmes for the health benefits of the people in the state. .
According to the law maker “we will at the state Assembly ensure that all enabling laws that will make our health sector thrive in Enugu state are done with utmost carefulness and result oriented.”
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Highlight of the event was screening of cervical cancer conducted by Enugu state Primary Health Care Development Agency ESPHCDA) in collaboration with Nigeria Medical Association, Breast without spot and other partners.
