A ONE DAY CERVICAL CANCER CAMPAIGN ENDS IN OWERRI-WEST.
By Innocent Osuoha.
A one day Cervical Cancer awareness campaign for the people of Owerri-west LGA has ended at Umuguma, the Council Headquarters.
The grassroot campaign in Owerri-west LGA , which was to complement the efforts of the Imo First Lady, Barr Chioma Uzodimma was led by the Chairperson, Lolo Precious Osigwe.
Kicking off the campaign, Lolo Precious Osigwe, commended the Imo First Lady, her Excellency, Barr. Chioma Uzodimma for her unwavering commitment and relentless advocacy against cervical cancer which made the sensitization programme possible.
Lolo Precious also appreciated her husband, Chief Victor Osigwe for his steadfast support towards initiatives that improve the welfare of Owerri West people.
According to her, "every June is set aside globally to celebrate millions of cancer survivors, honour those still undergoing treatment and recognize the invaluable contributions of caregivers, healthcare professionals and advocates."
The Chairperson also explained that cervical cancer which usually affect the cervix, the lower part of the womb had remained one of the few cancers that can be effectively prevented and successfully treated if detected early enough.
She further averred that routine screening remained indispensable, and urged women from the age of 21 years to always undergo cervical screening at least every three to five years.
She also appealed to The men to support the women in their families by encouraging vaccination, screening and open conversations about cervical cancer, stressing that the disease is a medical condition that required medical solutions rather than myths or misconceptions.
Identifying with the campaign, the Executive Chairman of the Owerri Local Government Area, Hon. Victor Osigwe commended his wife for bringing such a life-saving programme to the grassroot.
He reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to supporting initiatives that improve healthcare, while assuring participants that healthcare awareness would continue to receive priority attention under his watch.
A Resource Person on the occasion, Mrs Echendu Justina (from Ministry of Health) identified persistent infection with high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV), particularly HPV types 16 and 18, as the principal cause of cervical cancer.
She further highlighted additional risk factors to include multiple sexual partners, smoking, HIV infection, weakened immunity, poor screening uptake and limited access to quality healthcare services.
The HOD for the Health, Owerri West LGA, Mrs Ngozi Emekowa and the Council's Supervisor for Health, Dr Ngozi Duru also made meaningful contributions.
The impactful one-day Cervical Cancer awareness campaign had in attendance, the Executive Chairman's SAs, Hon Victor Olekaibe(Leader of Council), Councilors, Hon Kachison Ekwugha(SA, New Media), Women from various Owerri West communities, Health workers, Staff of Owerri West LGA as well as female students from Schools within the LGA.
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