16th May, 2017
The Federal Ministry of Health in support of National Orientation Agency (NOA) Health week programme has given free cancer screening vouchers to 30 persons.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this is to encourage the agency in its “Walk Out Cancer” walk as part of the agency’s health awareness campaign in Abuja on Tuesday.
Dr Garba Abari, the Director-General of NOA, said the agency was using its robust platform to sensitise Nigerians on the need to be conscious of their health.
He called on all health providers to partner with NOA so that cancer will be become a thing of the past.
He urged them to support in the area of free cancer screening for cervical, breast and prostrate that are now life terminators.
“It is curable, if dictated early,’’ said the director-general.
Dr Joseph Amedu, Director Hospital Services, who represented the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, noted that cancer has become a big health challenge to many citizens.
He commended NOA for the initiative of creating awareness to sensitise the citizens about the killer disease, adding that it is a right step to eradication.
Speaking also, Mr Chukwuemeka Korie, the Managing Director, Managed Healthcare Services (MHS), pledged the organisation’s readiness to support programmes that would benefit Nigerians health wise.
Korie urged everyone to be health conscious and to tap into any health programme that would be beneficial.
READ: Oshiomhole’s Wife, 334 Foreign Nationals Get Nigerian Citizenship
Mrs Amaka Nzeako, a participant for the health walk, said she was happy to be part of the programme because cancer has killed a lot of Nigerians, including her elder sister.
“I am in support of any programme that will help to eradicate cancer from the country. Cancer has killed many people including my elder sister.
“If we were enlightened about this disease before my sister died, I am sure she would have survived. We thought it was witchcraft attack.
“I encourage every woman to go for the screening. A stitch in time, saves nine,’’ Nzeako said.
Another participant, Mr Marcus Ufiye, said he join the walk out because he is a survivor of prostate cancer.
“I survived that is why I am here. Supporting the cancer awareness is my own little gratitude to God.
“I don’t wish that any person would go through that agony I went through.
“It is better imagined,’’ Ufiye said.