From Maiharaji Altine
Kebbi Governor Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has approved the scaling up of cervical cancer screening from 5000 to 35,000 women in Kebbi State.
This was announced on Tuesday in Birnin Kebbi by the Hon. Commissioner of Health, Jafar Muhammad as contained in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to Governor Atiku Bagudu, Alhaji Yahaya Sarki.
According to the Commissioner, the Governor gave the approval in order to enable more eligible women across the state have access to the ongoing screening excercise.
He said,” the devastating nature of cervical cancer requires prompt, deliberate and decisive action, in order to prevent and control cervical cancer in women .
” His Excellency believes that cancer is preventable and its early detection makes it easier to treat,” he averred.
The Commissioner further stated that the governor has approved the engagement of a competent Consultant to ensure the success of the program.
The commissioner disclosed that, already , 100 health workers across the state had been trained to facilitate the smooth running of the program.
Jafar appealed to all women in the state to take advantage of the program with a view to knowing their status.
He also enjoioned traditional and religious leaders to sensitize the citizens particularly women towards leveraging on the free screening and treatment provided by the program .
It will be recalled that in July, 2021, the Kebbi State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with Medicaid Cancer Foundation ( MCF) ,the World Health Organization, WHO and Clinton Health Acess Initiative (CHAI) jointly signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to conduct cervical cancer screening targeting 5000 eligible women in the state.
