By Ramat Ayo Ismail
No fewer than 4028 women across the 16 local government area of kwara state has benefited from the just concluded free breast and cervical cancer screening with treatment organized by the state government in partnership with Monitor Healthcare Limited
Speaking at the screening exercises at Osi Cotage hospital Osi, the state commissioner for health, Dr Raji Rasaq explained that the screening exercises is key to surviving chronic illness. The Commissioner stated that the present administration deems it fit to concentrate on some of the diseases that are of Public Health importance, such are malaria, HIV, Tuberculosis and cancer
” The purpose for the screening and treatment is to kick cancer out of Kwara state through the use of modern equipment called ” BREAST-i, a simple battery operated device which uses red light to dectect cancer cells in the breast and screens ladies cancer free” ,he added
He made it known that the present administration aimed to sustain the programme by incorporate it into routine programme across Primary and Secondary health care in the State.
According to him, after the screening, we are moving to the next level wherby patient can just walk into any government facility and get free cancer screening and treatment.
He urged people to use this opportunity and present themselves for screening and patronize government hospital in their areas. He said, he would not leave any stone unturned to make health care delivery available and affordable for masses.
He therefore appreciate and commended the efforts of Monitor Healthcare Ltd for it’s hard work in this partnership to make Kwara cancer free and supporting humanity!
While addressing the beneficiaries, the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Monitor Healthcare Ltd, Dr Femi Ogunremi advised women to avail themselves the opportunity to get tested saying early detection saves lives
He said cancer is becoming a major cause of mortality in developing countries while communicable diseases are still issues to tackle. He said, to reduce the rate of mortality through cancer regular screening is the right way to go for the state.
Ogunremi advised women to listen to their bodies and to always seek help when abnormalities in their bodies is noticed and get early assistance.
He said women need to engage in regular breast and cervical checks to ensure early detection of abnormalities, unnatural growth or lumps in their breasts and other parts of the body.
Ogunremi explained that the state government place a top priority to health care delivery of it’s people which prompt the partnership with Monitor Healthcare Ltd to screened over 3000 women across the 16 local government area of the state
He said cancer causes cells to divide uncontrollably. This can result in tumors, damage to the immune system, and other impairment that can be fatal.
This made the state government to took battle against cancer through free screening and treatment exercise for the benefits of Kwarans
One of the beneficiaries, the wife of the prince of Osi, Olori Khadijah Abdulkareem, said the screening had afforded her the opportunity to once again examine her breast and cervix with hospital equipment and by an expert.
“As of today, it is clear to me that I know my breast and cervical status and they are healthy,’’ Okpara who is a soldier spouse said.
Some of the local government covered included Baruten, Kaima, Edu, Patigi, Moro, Ifelodun, Offa, Oyun, Oke-ero,repodun.Ilorin west, East , Asa and Ekiti local government area
