3 weeks ago
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The wife of the Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Hafsat Abubakar, has, through the NABALAGO Foundation, offered free medical treatment to over 200 breast cancer patients in the state.
While serving as the convener to an awareness campaign coupled with her medical outreach to women on Saturday in the Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State to commemorate the 2024 World Cancer Day, Hafsat disclosed that the Ningi Breast Cancer Awareness Walk & Medical Outreach was the first edition aimed at supporting women development, especially in the areas of health awareness, empowerment, and education.
According to her, “Breast cancer remains the second most commonly diagnosed cancer globally and the leading cause of cancer deaths among women.”
Quoting statistics from the World Health Organisation, she noted, “In Nigeria, breast cancer accounts for 22.7 per cent of all cancer cases, according to the World Health Organisation.
“The International Agency for Research on Cancer predicts that one in 12 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. The only way to reduce early death from breast cancer is through early detection via self-checks and medical checkups. I pray and hope this event will promote more awareness among our women,” she remarked.
Meanwhile, Hafsat expressed the confidence that “More women across Bauchi will have the opportunity to gain more awareness through my sisters, the wives of the honourable members, and hopefully, our husbands will one day sponsor a bill for free mammograms for women aged 40 and above.”
Speaking to Arewa PUNCH on the sideline of the outreach, the Head of Clinicals, National Obstetric Fistula Centre Ningi, who provided services in collaboration with the Nabalago Foundation, Ogbera Edward, explained that the medical outreach was in celebration of the breast cancer awareness day.
The physician maintained that “It is a program being sponsored by the Nabalago Foundation to provide more than 200 women with breast cancer awareness and screening exercises.
“You know you don’t only make screening without provision for treatment. The wife of the Speaker has made an arrangement for whoever is being screened and diagnosed to go for a subsequent level of intervention.
“Fund is being made in reservations for those categories of people to undergo mammography, breast screening, or other interventions in terms of therapy which will require referral,”
Edward added.
On her part, the wife of the Bauchi State Governor, Aishatu Bala, who was also at the event, urged women across Bauchi State to prioritise personal and environmental hygiene to prevent the spread of diseases.
She encouraged them to adopt a balanced diet to reduce the risk of cancer and other illnesses.
Aishatu highlighted the link between the high prevalence of malaria in the state and inadequate environmental hygiene, and further advised women to seek prompt medical care upon noticing any symptoms of illness, underscoring the importance of early intervention.
Arewa PUNCH reports that the highlights of the occasion included the health talks, free medical consultation, basic medical examination, treatments, and free drugs.
The event with the theme: “No One Should Face Cancer Alone” aimed at educating women about breast cancer and providing access to medical support.
