Gombe first lady, NGO Partners NGO on Free Breast, Cervical Cancer Screening

...Over 1000 Women Benefit from Exercise

The Jewel care foundation, a non-governmental organization initiated by the office of the Gombe state first lady in collaboration with Amen care foundation launched breast and cervical cancer screening exercise in the state.

In her address during the flag-off ceremony at the state specialists hospital Gombe, the state first lady, Hajiya Asma'u Inuwa Yahaya said the Jewel foundation aims to create awareness and sensitize the women folks on the importance of health screening exercise in their day-to-day dealings.

The first lady said she set up the Jewel care foundation with a view to collaborating with other bodies in the country and beyond to be jointly attracting and bringing programmes and schemes that will better the lives of Gombe state women.

"I am delighted to state that 4 cancer screening centres have been set up across the state, here at the state specialist hospital Gombe, General hospital Bajoga in Funakaye LGA, General Hospitals Kaltungo and that of Kumo in Akko LGA. Furthermore 12 medical staff have been trained to carry out the task at the 4 centres".

Hajiya Asma'u noted that the 4 centres will provide the needed opportunity for women to screen, detect any abnormalities at the early stage and will provide timely care that will reduce morbidity and mortality as well as provide valid results with reasonable treatment costs for those with pre-cancerous cells.

She urged women in the state to take advantage of the screening centres in their respective communities for their health safety.

She said one of the diseases that generally lead to a high mortality rate in women specifically include breast cancer, cervical cancer, high blood pressure among others.

Speaking earlier, the state commissioner for health, Dr Ahmad Gana restated Governor Inuwa Yahaya administration's commitment towards improving the health sector at all levels for the well being of the citizenry.

He applauded the foundations for bringing succour to the women folks.

The Medical Director, Gombe state specialist hospital, Dr. Mu'azu Shuaibu while briefing newsmen shortly after the resumption of the exercise called on women in the state to avail themselves with the opportunity provided by the state Government, reiterating that early detection of infections can reduce the risk being encountered as a result the ailments.

Dr. Mu'azu Shuaibu noted with the delight the state Governor's laudable policies and programmes in the health sector to include renovation and construction of the health facilities across the state, provision of working materials and contributing of counterpart funds to development partners and donor agencies.

The team lead for the programme, Madam Agnes Karatu, said the exercise will be a continuous process, urging women in the state to present themselves as cancer treatment cancer is so expensive, advising women to grab the opportunity.

Some of the beneficiaries expressed appreciation over the gesture which according to them will bring succour for them.