The wife of the Kebbi State governor, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, has assured women in the state that screening for cervical cancer does not take away their womanhood.
Dr. Zainab spoke at the launching of Cervical Cancer Screening Pilot Project held at the Primary Healthcare Center, Birnin Yari, Jega Local Government Area of the state.
She said, “I will like to debunk the rumour that undergoing screening for cancer takes away womanhood.
“The programme is very dear to my heart because it has done so much under the leadership of His Excellency, my husband, Senator Atiku Bagudu.
“His support and the support of the team and all the critical stakeholders is highly appreciated.”
Dr. Zainab further said that with the flag-off today, Kebbi State has been put on the global map of cervical cancer control programme.
“We need to key into the programme, as cervical cancer is a disease that can be eliminated.
“We have the tools and vaccines and the ability to cure it, especially when it is detected early.
“Many countries are on their way to being declared cervical cancer-free and we are hopeful that Kebbi State will soon join them.”
She also stated that the State Government and the partners had paid for the progranme, and as such, the effort should not be allowed to go to waste.
To this effect, she said, “Traditional rulers have great effort to put in this direction,” to encourage the women.
Speaking on the occasion, Governor Atiku Bagudu, represented by the SSG, Alhaji Babale Umar Yauri, commended his wife for dedicating all her life to the development of women, describing her as,” a very gentle woman.”
According to the governor, no fewer than 5,000 women will be screened under the programme, with 1600 so far screened.
He said that the treatment for the women would commence immediately after the screening, with facilities provided at Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital, Birnin Kebbi and the Kebbi Medical Centre, Kalgo.
Bagudu further stated that the screening will be made a routine across the state, with over 35,000 women to benefit from the screening and treatment for all forms of cancer.
