By Titus Eleweke, Editor South East
AWKA, Anambra – More than 200 residents turned out on Monday for the first day of a one-week free cancer screening programme at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) in Amaku, Awka.
The exercise—offering cervical cancer screening (Pap smear), mammography for early breast cancer detection, and prostate cancer screening—runs from Monday, July 27, to Friday, July 31.
It was organized to celebrate the birthdays of the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, and his wife, Dr. Nonye Soludo, on July 28 and July 31, respectively.
Visiting the screening centres at the Departments of Radiography and Obstetrics and Gynaecology around 1:30 p.m., our reporter observed steady crowds despite early morning rainfall.
Hospital officials confirmed that over 54 men had undergone prostate cancer screening, while more than 88 women had received cervical and breast cancer screenings by mid-afternoon, pushing total attendance past 200 by the end of the day.
Beneficiaries expressed deep gratitude for the initiative. One female participant, who requested anonymity, described the exercise as a rare lifesaver.
”I have always wanted to undergo cervical cancer screening and a mammogram, but I couldn’t afford the cost. When I heard about this free programme, I knew I couldn’t miss it,” she said, urging other women to take advantage of the opportunity.
Another beneficiary, Mr. Peter Okechukwu, noted that high costs often deter men from seeking preventive care.
“Many men want to get screened for prostate cancer, but the cost holds them back,” Okechukwu said while awaiting his results. “If people had the financial resources, they wouldn’t wait for free medical outreaches.”
Speaking with journalists, the Chief Medical Director of COOUTH, Dr. Maureen Uche Umeakuewulu, expressed delight at the turnout, noting that demand had already surpassed initial expectations.
“When I visited the centres this morning, I was surprised to see them filled despite the heavy rain. What I saw exceeded our projections,” Dr. Umeakuewulu said. “We expected to screen about 500 people over five days, but day one alone has been overwhelming.”
She disclosed that additional medical staff, screening films, reagents, and consumables were immediately deployed to ensure seamless operations throughout the week.
Dr. Umeakuewulu emphasized that the turnout highlights financial barriers rather than apathy among residents when it comes to personal health.
”It is becoming increasingly clear that healthcare costs are the major barrier,” she explained. “Otherwise, how do you explain people coming out in large numbers despite heavy rain? Their enthusiasm shows they value their health, but financial constraints have held them back.”
She added that data gathered from the exercise will be analyzed to help formulate regional health policies and secure further interventions.
On the inspiration behind the initiative, the CMD explained that management opted to fund patient care rather than place traditional media advertisements for the governor and his wife.
“When management suggested media ads for the governor and first lady, I proposed investing those funds directly into free cancer screenings instead,” Dr. Umeakuewulu said.
“Offering free healthcare directly benefits the people and aligns far better with the governor’s health sector investments—including the newly completed Solution Trauma Centre—and his wife’s Healthy Living initiative.”