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Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, has announced that in a bid to step-up the fight against cervical cancer, his ministry will procure mobile solution treatment machines and distribute same to all 774 Local Government Councils in Nigeria.
Conventional version of the medical equipment will also be distributed to teaching hospitals nationwide.
The Minister said this on Wednesday during a meeting with General Manager, WISAP Medical Technology, Stephan Hilgers, manufacturers of the mobile solution treatment machines based in Germany.
Professor Adewole said the procurement will be in batches, the Ministry would purchase some this year while the rest would be purchased in 2019.
“We would look at our budget, in 2018 we can buy some and then we buy the remaining in 2019,” Adewole said.
He said the Ministry will work in partnership with WISAP Medical Technology to train the staff that will handle the machines.
According to Mr Hilgers the machine is effective in the treatment of cervical cancer.
It is mobile and uses rechargeable batteries— this makes it more suitable for use in rural areas.
Cervical cancer affects the entrance to the uterus [womb]. The cervix is the narrow part of the lower uterus, often referred to as the neck of the womb.
World Health Organisation information :
- In Nigeria, about 14,000 women are diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer each year.
- Most common in women aged 15 to 44 years .
- Having many sexual partners or becoming sexually active early is a risk factor.
- Survival rates are good if cervical cancer is caught early.
- Symptoms include bleeding between periods and after sex.
