The Ministry will continue to support and work closely with any organization and spirited individuals working on any programme geared towards achieving total wellbeing of our focus groups
By Moses Okorie
The minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, has applauded a professional group, Association of Lady Pharmacists (ALPs), Abuja Branch for promoting the health of Nigerians, particularly women and girls as well as creating awareness on cancer prevention, screening and treatment.
The minister, represented by an Assistant Director in the Department of Woman Development of the ministry, Mr. Iliyasu Omar Zubair, at the 2022 Cancer Walk organized by the Association of Lady Pharmacists, on Tuesday, in Abuja, the nation’s capital. The walk, which started from Eagles Square terminated at the Unity Fountain Abuja by stakeholders of the association.
Tallen said, “I would like to commend the organizers of this event for putting together such laudable initiative that would undoubtedly promote the health of Nigerians, particularly women and girls.
“As part of the Ministry’s mandate, our focus is basically on women, children and vulnerable groups. The Ministry will continue to support and work closely with any organization and spirited individuals working on any programme geared towards achieving total wellbeing of our focus groups.”
On her part, Pharmacist Nevan Bello, the chairperson of the group in Abuja, said October is the world breast cancer awareness month, so the association sensitizing the general public about the risk of breast cancer and how to prevent it; especially early detection.
“Breast cancer is the leading cause of death to women, and it is one of the preventable cancers. If people can get to know their health conditions, get to know what they should look out for, go for screening early, and have self-examination, cancer is preventable.
“Apart from this walk, we are going to have a discounted breast cancer screening at Medic Aid Cancer Foundation at Utako here in Abuja, which we are calling on women around the FCT to go and get screened.
“We are collaborating, getting over 150 women to go for screening by next week, and it would be a four day programme. They will receive 50 per cent discount, because that is the collaboration we have with the Foundation.
Also speaking with newsmen, Pharmacist Wosilat Giwa; a friend of the Association of Lady Pharmacists, said there is no age barrier to cancer; people should be ready and be more sensitized to know how to prevent cancer, because prevention is better than cure.
One of the organizers, Pharmacist Chinelo Okonkwo revealed that even men have breast cancer, and not just women. She advised men and women alike to go for cancer screening.