A renowned Champion of Cervical Cancer, Chief Mrs Favour Chika Okafor has called for accelerated cervical cancer sensitisation and elimination efforts across the nation before year 2050.
She stressed the urgent need for governments, health professionals and other stakeholders through strategic health policies and technical support services to work together towards its elimination.
The Crusader was speaking with newsmen at her Nnewi Country home, shortly after being conferred with the Chieftaincy title of “Iyom Chibugo Nnewi” by His Royal Majesty, Igwe Kenneth Orizu, during this year’s Ofala Festival marking his 60 years on the throne.
According to her, cervical cancer is one of the health challenges facing women today, killing about 8,000 women in Nigeria every year.
“This means that every day 20 to 28 women die.This cancer is preventable and treatable and that is why i am standing as a crusader because i want us to know about it”
Iyom Okafor, who also runs a Charitable Organisation, Rock Foundation For Widows, Orphans And Less Privileged (ROFWOL) re-emphasized the importance of early diagnosis, considering the fact that cervical cancer is medically curable if discovered early.
She said she was poised to raise awareness on the disease and encourage its prevention, detection and early treatment.
“This is what is preventable, that is why I am devoting the rest of my life to champion the cause until it gets out of Nigeria like Poliomyelitis. l am sourcing for funds to make sure women are screened and our girls vaccinated against the disease,” she added.
While stating that sexual intercourse could predispose a woman to having the disease, Okafor explained that women of reproductive age were of higher risk of having cervical cancer.
“The major infection that causes the disease is Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), according to her is sexually transmitted. The virus can be stopped through vaccination of young girls,” she stressed.
The Crusader, an Engineer and wife of Chief Chika Okafor of the Chikason Group of Companies, enumerated the components of her intervention to include community based education and sensitization on cervical cancer, charitable and philanthropic activities.
“We believe in good Nigerians who can support our work to give free Pap Smear Screening Tests to widows,” she posited.
While advising women particularly those of reproductive age to get screened for cervical cancer regularly, she linked the low uptake of screening services to apathy and lack of adequate information among the populace about cervical cancer.
She described the honour bestowed on her by the traditional ruler as very serious assignment to deliver more to uplift humanity and serve the community.
