By Rita Okoye

In a remarkable initiative aimed at raising awareness and combating cervical cancer, the Mohammed Baba Memorial Foundation organized a two-day free cervical cancer screening event for women aged 21 to 65.

The screening took place at the Primary Healthcare Center in Idu, Abuja, Nigeria.

The event, which ran from January 23 to January 24, attracted scores of women eager to take proactive steps towards their health. The foundation, led by Aisha Mohammed, sought to provide accessible and life-saving health services to the local community. Aisha, who founded the foundation in memory of her late brother, Mohammed Baba, was inspired to launch this screening after personally experiencing the profound loss of her aunt to cervical cancer.

“I lost my aunty to cervical cancer several years ago. It was devastating, and it became clear to me that knowledge is key in preventing more lives from being lost,” said Aisha Mohammed. “By offering free screenings and increasing awareness, we are taking the first step toward reducing the number of cases of cervical cancer, which can often be prevented with early detection.”

The screening event offered free Pap smears, a common diagnostic procedure for early detection of cervical cancer. Health professionals were on hand to educate attendees about the risk factors, prevention strategies, and the importance of regular screenings. Women who participated were also given counseling about the HPV vaccine, a crucial tool in preventing cervical cancer.

Aisha Mohammed’s commitment to this cause is not new. In 2023, she organized similar free cervical cancer screenings in three local government areas in Benue State State, Nigeria, bringing the life-saving service to even more women in underserved communities.

With cervical cancer being the second most common cancer among women worldwide, early detection and preventive care are critical in saving lives. The Mohammed Baba Memorial Foundation’s efforts to offer these screenings free of charge is a significant step in improving public health, particularly in regions where access to healthcare may be limited.

As the event came to a close, many women expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to be screened and educated on the importance of early detection. Aisha Mohammed and her foundation continue to advocate for wider access to healthcare and greater public awareness of cervical cancer.

“Creating awareness and ensuring women are aware of their health options is essential. We will keep pushing to expand these efforts to more communities,” she added.

The Mohammed Baba Memorial Foundation’s cervical cancer awareness initiative is expected to grow in future years, with plans to reach even more areas in Nigeria.