More than 500 Women within and outside Mushin Local Government Area of Lagos on Friday participated in a free cervical cancer screening programme, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
The programme held at the Palm Avenue Primary Health Centre, Mushin, was launched on Thursday by the wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs Abimbola Fashola.
An initiative of the state government, the cervical cancer screening programme seeks to save lives of women through screening for early detection and treatment of cervical cancer.
The programme is targeted at women of child bearing age and those between 25 and 65 years.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to NAN lauded the programme as it was taken to their door step at the grassroot where majority of them reside and carry on their business.
Mrs Titilayo Akanni, 52, a trader said that it was a great relief for her and other women who cannot close their business and queue endlessly at the general hospital for screening.
“Akanni said that the programme was very good because it would save the lives of many women who she described as uneducated and less privileged.
“I am very happy that the government is organising this programme free for women to save our lives.
“Many women die of strange sickness and disease which can be prevented if they are aware of it,” she said.
Mrs Alimot Akinyemi, 40, said that many women have died due to lack of knowledge or ignorance of the disease.
Akinyemi noted that most women at the grassroot level don’t know the severity of the disease if not detected early, adding that government should make the screening and awareness programme regular.
“Before now I don’t believe there is any disease called cervical cancer but now I am better informed and I thank the state government for its effort.
Alhaja Risikat Hakeem, 57, thanked the state government for the free screening and urged that more health programme be conduct for women at the grassroot.
