By Abubakar Sadiq
The event which took place on Saturday, 20th August 2022 at Mumbayya House, started with a remark by the project manager, Save a Life Cancer Awareness & Support Network (SALCASUN) Hajiya Rahana Adamu Kakudi, she mentioned that they are collaborating with Trust Africa, an NGO which normally works on Democracy and Civil Society based equitable development and Africa philanthropy; so they fund projects that are specifically for Africa in order to create solutions. Kakudi added that the purpose of the dialogue is to hear experiences of Covid – 19, Breast and Cervical Cancer from rural communities and also the possible solutions that would be forwarded to the Government Agencies.
Dr. Zahradeen a Medical Doctor from Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano and also the Medical Adviser of SALCASUN presents and overview of Covid – 19, the history, issues and problems that came about as a result of the disease, which include economic and financial crisis, lockdown issues, health challenges, poverty, educational challenge and etc. However, a number of participants shared their memorable stories of lockdown era and proper some way forward in case the disease comes back again, which include creating a massive awareness campaign on the disease because a lot of people especially in the rural areas didn’t believe it exist; Government should try as much as possible to equip health centres in the rural areas; Individuals should engage themselves on entrepreneurship skills for self-reliance; Families should be creating time for each other and get use to each other.
Dr. Aisha in her presentation on Cervical and Breast Cancer, talked extensively about the history of Breast Cancer, what causes it, what are the symptoms and possible medication. She stress more about the women that have high risks of getting cancer; i.e those that didn’t got married in time; those that don’t breast feed their babies and the rest. She added that cervical cancer is detectable, preventable and treatable; Dr. Aisha urge women to go for screening every 3 years and women should always go to the hospitals when they experience ices in their private part. A number of participants enjoys that there is need for massive sensitization and awareness programmes in core rural areas to encourage women to go for screening for early detection.
In her address, the founder of Save a life Cancer Awareness & Support Network (SALCASUN) Hajiya Hauwa Kakudi mentioned about how they came to being as well as some of the fast activities they had with regards to creating awareness on breast and cervical cancer, she added that in collaboration with Community Health Research Initiative (CHR) they have establish a cancer trust fund, in which now they have about 2 million Naira in their account; they are registering cancer patients who are less privileged into NHIS programme to support them. Finally she prays for safe return back home to all the participants.
