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Olabode Adaramola
As part of efforts to ensure that Niger State achieves less than four new cases of cervical cancer per 100,000, the incumbent government in the State has organized a free cervical cancer screening and treatment of initial 5,000 girls and women of reproductive age group for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).
Disclosing this on Monday at the flag off ceremony of the HPV Cervical Cancer prevention services held at the Neo-Natal wing of the Minna, General Hospital, the State Governor Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello called on family heads and religious leaders to encourage their women and daughters of reproductive age to go out in large numbers with the view to benefit from the exercise.
According to the Governor, “as a State, we are set to provide organized cervical cancer screening of initial 5,000 women of reproductive age group for HPV across the State and treat those with cervical precancerous lesions.
“We will continue to strive to ensure that Niger State is one of the leading States in the country to achieve less than 4 new cases of cervical cancer per 100,000,” said Governor Sani Bello.
Speaking also, a Cancer Survivor and Executive Director, International Centre For Sexual Reproductive Rights, Cesnabmihilo Dorothy Aken’Ova described the programme as very timing, stressing that “for a very long time, we have desired that Nigeria should meet up with the general global standard, such that women get support in terms of early detection of cancer. I am very happy today that it is a reality”.
In his opening remarks, the State Commissioner of Health and Hospital Services, Dr. Makusidi Muhammad said “as a State, we rolling out the screening of initial 5,000 women for HPV, see and treatment of Cervical Pre-Cancerous lesions in 9 Local Government Areas which include Chanchaga, Suleja, Kontagora, Lapai, Mokwa, Borgu, Paikoro, Gbako and Bosso.
