By Ojo Oluwafemi
The Ondo State Governor’s Wife, Mrs Betty Akeredolu has charged relevant stakeholders at all levels on accelerating ways of tackling Cervical Cancer to end untimely death in the society.
Mrs Akeredolu gave the charge on Tuesday in Akure at the launch of the global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer.
“Cervical cancer is one cancer that is preventable and curable.
“A lot of work need to be done through community engagement by traditional, religious leaders and government itself at all level to live up to their responsibilities’’.
According to her, `we strongly believe that if we take up the call for serious actions, we can indeed end the suffering and the untimely death to cervical cancer in Nigeria and globally.
“The world has the tools to make it happen, what remains is to make the tools accessible to all irrespective of who you are or where you live and you are invited to support this call to action.
“Our global target by the year 2030 is that all countries will achieve 90 per cent HPV vaccination coverage, 70 per cent screening coverage, and 90 per cent access to treatment for pre- cancer and cancer, including access to palliative care’’.
She said that as a founder of Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN) she has made all their offices/centres one-stop shop advocacy centres for breast and cervical cancer.
“It entails raising awareness, screening, HPV vaccination, fundraising to support treatment and data collection for collaborative research.
“You are invited to make announcements and pledges to support this event; the colour of the event is TEAL.
“Our show of support starts with the decoration of the government house gate, Alagbaka, Akure and BRECAN offices/ centres nationwide in TEAL. What about you? Show us in words and deeds,’’ She said.
The State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Titi Adeyemi who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on behalf of FOWOSO shortly after the launch exercise said the forum is partnering with BRECAN in achieving accelerated elimination of cervical cancer in the country.
FOWOSO is the Foundation for Wives of Ondo State Officials and Female Political Appointees.
Adeyemi said it a global effort and what they are doing in the state is teaming up with BRECAN and other stakeholders to speed up the elimination of the scourge.
NAN reports that the global elimination of cervical cancer is in collaboration with BRECAN, FOWOSO, First Ladies Against Cancer (FLAC) and World Health Organization (WHO).
