Gov Ahmed’s wife tasks women on regular medical checkup

Mrs Omolewa Ahmed, wife of Gov Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara, on Wednesday urged women to go for regular medical checkup for early detection of diseases, especially cancer.

Ahmed made the call during her tour of the Life Empowers Anchors Hope (LEAH) Cancer Centres in Lafiagi and Offa.

The governor’s wife, also founder of LEAH Foundation, said that women should prioritise their health above other things to avoid jeopardising their future.

Ahmed said that she would upgrade the cancer centres and provide Colposcopy (a procedure to closely examine your cervix, vagina and vulva for signs of disease.)

“I am here to see how we can encourage women to patronise these centres and to also come for cancer screening.

“We are particular about community participation.

“I promise to install solar energy as alternative power at the centres and community health workers will be trained to man them,’’ the founder of LEAH said.

She appealed to the media to give prominence to news about the cancer, especially as it affects women.

Earlier, at the palace of Emir of Lafiagi, Alhaji Kawu Haliru, Ahmed, urged well-to-do individuals to support the foundation’s effort in fighting cancer.

“This tour is to assess and upgrade facilities at the cancer centres and train staff,” she said at the General Hospital, Offa.

Ahmed said that the foundation had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Ilorin to include cervical cancer screening in its regular admission package.

In his remarks, Dr Abdulwasiu Giwa, the Chief Medical Director, General Hospital, Offa, said that Ahmed’s visit was timely as cancer cases were on the increase.

“Earlier today, we lost a patient with cancer of the liver,” Giwa told the governor’s wife.

He advised the people to come and screen themselves for cancer, saying that cancer was preventable, if detected early.