Cervical cancer screening begins for female police officers in A’Ibom

Emeka Ogenyi, Uyo

Akwa Ibom Police Commissioner, Mr Amiengheme Andrew has flagged off a two-week free cervical cancer awareness and screening for female police officers in the state.

The programme, executed in partnership with Heartland Alliance and the Nigeria Police Medical Services, Akwa Ibom State, would be accessed by Police Officers’ Wives Association, POWA, Police Wives Association, PWA, Late Police Officers’ Wives Association, LAPOWA, and the female Police Officers.

At the occasion in Uyo, the commissioner, who was represented by his wife Joy Amiengheme, said the programme was borne out of the need to remind women the importance of staying healthy and going for cervical cancer screening for early detection and treatment.

She urged the women to maximize the rare privilege, pointing out that early detection of cancer can save lives if effectively managed.

Amiengheme praised Heartland Alliance and the Nigeria Police Medical Services for working together to ensure that the programme saw the light of the day.

Also speaking the Police Head of Medical Services, CSP (Dr) Chuks Ahunaya stressed that the need for a screening cannot be overemphasized, noting that lack of early detection can lead to death.

He commended Heartland Alliance for making room for a robust partnership to be enjoyed between both organisations.

Addressing the attendees, the representative of Heartland Alliance, Mr Paul Umoh, said cervical cancer is discovered to be one of the leading causes of high death rate among women; reason for the screening to be held.

Noting that the issue of health is generally taken for granted, Umoh said to arrest this, Police Officers’ Wives and other Policewomen were widely mobilised to be able to access the service.

Two beneficiaries, Judith Godsend and Inijane Asuatang expressing their joy, thanked the Nigeria Police Force for collaborating with Heartland in hosting the event to their benefits.