) There was still Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Awka, has begun a weeklong free cervical, breast and prostate cancer screening to prevent the ailments in Anambra.
The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Dr Maureen Umeakuewulu, disclosed this on Monday, while unveiling the exercise in Awka.
According to Umeakuewulu, the programme is to commemorate the birthdays of the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo and his wife, Dr Nonye Soludo.
She said the hospital considered it appropriate to use the week of the birthdays of the governor and his wife, which fell on July 28 and July 31 respectively, to advance their vision of a healthy Anambra.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Soludo would clock 66 on July 28, as his wife Nonye would be 56 on July 31.
She said the outreach, which commenced on Monday would end on Friday.
The CMD said the programme would provide free cervical cancer screening (Pap smear), mammography for early breast cancer detection and prostate cancer screening for eligible residents.
According to her, the initiative is aimed at celebrating the leadership of the governor and his wife, as well as their commitment to promoting healthy living through preventive healthcare programmes.
Umeakuewulu said women between the ages of 25 and 65 would benefit from the free cervical cancer screening, while women aged 40 and above would receive free mammography screening.
She added that 200 men aged 50 years and above would also benefit from free prostate cancer screening.
“The screening will commence daily at 8 a.m.
“It is designed to appreciate the governor and his wife for their unwavering commitment to improving the health and well-being of residents.
“The governor’s wife, through her Healthy Living Initiative, has positively impacted the lives of thousands of residents by promoting healthy lifestyles, preventive healthcare and regular medical screening.
“Gov. Soludo has also consistently demonstrated exceptional commitment to strengthening the healthcare system and improving access to quality healthcare services for the people of Anambra,” she said.
She underscored the importance of early detection in the fight against cervical, breast and prostate cancers, noting that early diagnosis improves treatment outcomes and significantly increases survival rates.
The CMD urged eligible women and men across the state to take advantage of the free screening programme.
“Such routine cancer screening is an essential component of preventive healthcare that should not be neglected,” she said. (NAN)
