Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN) 6,000 Women for Cervical Cancer
In their efforts to prevent cancer, Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Lagos State Branch, said over 6,000 women have been screened for cervical cancer.
The new President of MWAN in Lagos State, Dr. Omowunmi Bakare, who assumed duty in Lagos penultimate week, disclosed that the organisation’s community based breast and cervical cancer screening campaigns would target 8,000 women yearly during the two year period of her administration.
She said MWAN officials conducted the screening for the women at the MWAN Cancer Screening Centre at Oyingbo using visual inspection with acetic acid (via) and visual inspection with Lugol’s iodine (VILI).
She spoke at the 20th Biennial Conference/AGM/10th Dr. Irene Thomas Memorial Lecture & 40th Anniversary and Investiture of MWAN, Lagos State Branch.
Speaking on the theme: ‘Women’s Health and Empowerment: Tools for Sustainable Development,’ Bakare said there is plan to educate and enlighten pregnant women and nursing mothers on appropriate and adequate nutrition. “The school health project shall be given adequate attention: Dental Health Awareness Campaign/World Menstruation Day/Deworming, among others.
The new president of MWAN in Lagos, said without appropriate research, monitoring and evaluation, the whole activities may just be in vain. “We plan to conduct research, monitor and evaluate our activities.
“We also propose to provide yearly scholarships for the best female medical student in the final MBBS/BDS, examinations in order to inspire them to be the best and compete globally.”
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that cancer is responsible for 72,000 deaths in Nigeria every year, with an estimated 102,000 new cases annually.
Data also shows that breast and cervical cancers are the two most common types of cancer responsible for approximately 50.3 per cent of all cancer cases in Nigeria.
However, determined to ensure improved quality of life in women, Bakare said MWAN would also engage in public enlightenment for pregnant and nursing mothers on appropriate and adequate nutrition.
She said the focus of the 2017 – 2019 tenure “shall be to increase visibility for MWAN and also to improve womens’ health through strategic engagement and effective collaboration.”
Bakare said MWAN Lagos was poised to reach greater heights by collaborating with relevant stakeholders with a view to improving the health of the general public, especially women and children.”
Source: New Telegraph News
