The Kebbi State Cancer Control Program has flagged off the Statewide free cervical cancer screening and treatment program for 40,000 women at PHC Birnin Yari, Jega this Thursday, 5/05/2022.

The program is a partnership between Clinton Health Initiative CHAI, World Health Organisation, Kebbi state Government and Medicaid Cancer Foundation. It is in line with the Global Strategy for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer. Kebbi State Government under the leadership of H.E Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has scaled up the coverage to 40,000.

Distribution of commodities for Cervical Screening to the Principal Medical Officers of the selected centres for the screening was also held during the laudable program.

The successful launch was witnessed by a high powered list of stakeholders including the SSG, Commissioners, Local Government Chairmen (led by the ALGON Chairman), Development Partners ( CHAI, WHO, MCF, UNICEF, ROCHE, Johnson and Johnson), Catholic Christians Association, Principal Medical Offices (PMOs), Nigerian Medical Association and Traditional Rulers. This formidable list of stakeholders gathered to ensure effective dissemination to the women of Kebbi and thus, a successful program.

The First Lady of Kebbi State and Founder of Medicaid Cancer Foundation, Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, who spoke at the Flagoff ceremony urged that women should be encouraged to partake in the Screening saying, “traditional rulers have a big role to play in this program.”

She assured women in the state that screening for cervical cancer is safe and there is no risk of losing body fluids and womanhood contrary to myths related to the process. She debunked the rumours that say the screening takes away a woman’s sexual sensation. Dr Bagudu gave a physical demonstration of the extent of cervical cancer. Out of 12,000 women diagnosed annually, over 8000 will die. She also showed the thermal ablation device used for the treatment of early lesions which are available in all the 10 pilot hospitals running the program.

Dr Bagudu expressed her gratitude for the support of His Excellency saying that with this program, Kebbi state has been put on the global map of cervical cancer elimination. “Many countries are on their way to being declared cervical cancer free and we are hopeful that Kebbi state will soon join them.”

She stated that the State Government and the partners had paid for the program, and as such, the efforts should not be allowed to be wasted. She urged health workers to champion the cause in their various workplaces.

She thanked the Governor, His Excellency Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu for his enormous support and the support of the team and all the critical stakeholders.

Also speaking, the SSG, Alhaji Babale Umar Yauri, representing the Governor of Kebbi State, His Excellency Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, commended the First Lady for dedicating all her life to the development of women and children.

He said that the State Government has done a lot to ease the suffering of cancer patients in the state, with the collaboration of Medicaid, WHO and other partners.

He announced that no fewer than 5,000 women will be screened under the programme, with 1600 so far screened. He added that the treatment for the women would commence immediately after the screening, with facilities provided at Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital, Birnin Kebbi and the Kebbi Medical Centre, Kalgo.

The SSG further stated that the Screening will be made a routine across the state, with over 35,000 women to benefit from the screening and treatment for all forms of cancer.

He stated that adequate provision has been made to cater for the people of the state under the cancer indigent fund, among other interventions.

The State Health Commissioner, Hon. Jafar Mohammed said that the state has worked tremendously in bolstering the cancer control Programme.

According to him, various facilities have been provided to boost access to the cancer control Programme. The Commissioner further stated that the five-year cancer control Plan was deliberately aimed to achieve effectiveness in cancer elimination.

He acknowledged the unwavering support of the Governor and H.E Dr Zainab Bagudu for cancer control. He disclosed that no fewer than 360 people had benefitted from the Indigent Cancer Fund with cash support, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and diagnostics investigations, leading to treatment, among others.

The Sarkin Kabin Jega, Alhaji Bawa Arzika while appreciating Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu for launching the screening program in Jega, urged women to take advantage of the program and disregard any rumour against it.

He pledged the sustained support of the program by traditional rulers and thanked Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu for the ongoing infrastructural projects in the state.

In their brief remarks at the occasion, the Chairman of Birnin Kebbi Local Government who is also the ALGON Chairman, Alhaji Ahmad Aminu Sarkin Fada and the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Women Affairs, Hajiya Aishatu Maikurata all urged women to come out en mass and get screened.

Highlights of the program were goodwill messages from international partners such as Clinton Health Access Initiative, CHAI, WHO, Medicaid Cancer Foundation, MCF, Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Johnson and Johnson, and Roche.

The First Lady along with other VIPs presented Cervical Cancer Screening Materials to Principal Medical Officers (PMOs) of the all the General Hospitals designated as cancer screening centres in the State. Soaps, money was distributed to over 200 women screened at the flag off.

Muktar Bagudo
SSA
Kebbi state Governor

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