A non-governmental organisation (NGO), The Victoria-Nwaeke Foundation (TVNF), has said that the North East has a higher prevalence of cervical cancer cases due to low awareness and insurgency crisis bedevilled the region.
The founder of the organisation, Obinna Ama, stated during a-6 day free cancer screening for 250 women the programmes were organised by the NGO, in collaboration with the state Primary Healthcare Board in Borno.
He said it is committed to educating more women in communities on the prevention of cervical cancer.
“The North east region of the country is reported to have a higher prevalence of cervical cancer cases despite efforts targeted at reducing the burden of this disease by government and other private organizations.
“The low success recorded in the fight against cervical cancer in the region can largely be attributed to certain socio-cultural and economic factors, as well as the raging insurgency.
“Our free cervical cancer screening programmes are therefore bringing the fight against cervical cancer to women in under-served communities, that have little or no access to such healthcare services.
“Our mission does not stop at providing these free HPV screening services but also studying the data to understand the burden of this disease and identify the predominant genotypic make-up of the HPV virus in the region among other outcomes that will thereafter give more insight on the best approach to fight this deadly disease. It is time we stop losing our loved ones to cervical cancer,” he stated.
Consultant Gynecologist Dr Fatima Rahis, said about 40 million women in Nigeria between the age of 15 and 45 are at risk of developing cervical cancer due to poor awareness and lack of access to healthcare services at an early stage.
She said: “The cost of cancer care is astronomical when compared to the cost of prevention. But these 250 women are among the lucky ones to be screened free of charge.
“Cervical Cancer, though a preventable disease, still has an estimated mortality of about 40% among women in the country, the disease can be managed if diagnosed early.”Dr Fatima said.
The Field Project Coordinator (TVNF), Abdulhakeem Abioye
Noted that screening is known to be highly effective in reducing the incidences, morbidity and mortality associated with the disease.
“Foundation observe that cervical cancer right here in this part of the country is very high so we as a body we had to do something to bring intervention to the people so we map out five Communities across three local government in Borno state for intervention, the turn out was impressive and more intervention is require to stem the disease,” Abdulhakeem disclosed.
