A total of 7, 277 women have benefitted from the ongoing free cervical screening programme in 11 months in Anambra State, Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike has said.
Obidike who made this known on Friday in Awka, said that 151 women who tested positive with early stage of cervical cancer were being treated for free.
Recall that the Wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, flagged off the Cervical Cancer Prevention and Elimination Project, on October 28, 2022.
The project which is the initiative of the Governor’s wife is in collaboration with the Clinton Health Access initiative and the World Health Organisation (WHO)
The Commissioner described cervical cancer as the second most common cancer affecting women in Nigeria according to the WHO.
According to him, it develops in a woman’s cervix (the entrance to the uterus from the vagina).
“Almost all cervical cancer cases are linked to infection with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV), but it is preventable and treatable, if presented and diagnosed early.
“This is why the Wife of the Governor launched the free screening and treatment for women in the state.
“As of today we have screened no fewer than 7,277 women out of which 151 women who tested positive with early stage of cancer are receiving treatment.
“The free screening is ongoing and we are working on expanding by opening up more centres for screening and ensure access to women,” he said.
Obidike urged women to go for the free cervical cancer screening in the state’s teaching hospital and designated general hospitals and healthcare centres.
