By Anuoluwapo Fasoyin
The Oyo State Government has urged women of child bearing age to go for free cervical cancer tests, at its various designated health centres in the state, for early detection of the virus.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Olusoji Adeyanju, made the call during a special Colposcopy training organised by the ministry in conjunction with University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA, University of New Mexico USA and Center for Biothics and Research, Nigeria, held at Adeoyo Maternity hospital, Ibadan.
According to Dr Olusoji, Colposcopy is a procedure to closely examine the cervix and vulva for signs of disease.
In his opening remarks, Dr Adeyanju, represented by a Director from the ministry, Dr Abbas Gbolahan, described cervical cancer as second commonest cancer among women in the society, adding that the state was on top of the situation to combat the deadly disease with robust strategy already on ground.
Addressing the participants, a medical expert, Dr Imran Muazzim-Bello, who spoke on behalf of other partners, expressed optimism that the introduction of the Mobile Colposcopy instrument, would avail the trained Cervical cancer experts the opportunity of detecting the virus earlier on the spot, even at the remotest areas.
One of the trainees, Dr Shakirah Lanlege, who spoke on behalf of others, commended Oyo state government and the facilitators for the opportunity and pledged their utmost commitment in ensuring that the knowledge acquired would be diligently applied when carrying out their expected duties.
At the Colposcopy training for selected five medical doctors and five Nurses who will later serve as trainers for other trainees in the state were top officials of the ministry.
