In all, two 278 females and 105 of their male counterparts were screened.
The Assembly member for Samatigu electoral area in the Nadowli/Kaleo district of the Upper West Region, Hon. Millicent Zuuri, has organised a successful breast cancer screening and awareness exercise in the area. The exercise covered three communities which includes: Nyimbale, Samatigu and Kaluri.
Prior to the beginning of the screening exercise in the communities, the health practitioners used the opportunity to sensitise residents on breast cancer as well as healthy living practices.
A midwife from the Nadowli district hospital, Stella Bayor, during her sensitisations in the three communities indicated that breast cancer is no respecter of persons hence, must be of concern to all.
According to her, part of her motivation to keep doing the sensitisations and screening is due to the fact that some other health workers have also been infected with the disease. She however admitted that due to several constraints, they have often not been able to extend their screenings to smaller communities like Samatigu.
“I’m excited that the assembly woman could organise this on her own. That’s very commendable and I know it wasn’t easy organising it,” she added.
Meanwhile, Mary Danyi, who is a district nutrition officer at the Nadowli/Kaleo district health directorate, encouraged community members to lead healthy lives.
“We have abundance of vegetables and fruits which are good for us yet, we prefer using maggie and other chemicals that are not good for us,” she lamented.
She further bemoaned the excessive intake of alcohol in our communities which she said weakens the immune system hence, makes people susceptible to diseases.
Hon. Millicent Zuuri in her address to the people in the communities, called for their continuous support towards her strive in courting the needed development for the Samatigu electoral area.
She donated a Feta Doppler each to the Nyimbali and Samatigu CHPS zones. She however indicated she would engage with the District Health Director to try and see the possibility of getting a midwife assigned to the Nyimbali CHPS zone which currently has none.
She said: “I know largely that, this machine is often used by midwives but you don’t have one, I’ll engage the District Health Director if she could get you one.”
According to her, the two Feta Dopplers were given to her to be handed over to the communities by one of the illustrious sons of the area who is a medical doctor, Dr. Alan Seidu.
“You know most of our sons and daughters better than I do. If you know anyone who can help in resolving our problems, do inform me. I’ll surely find ways of getting in touch with them,” she called on the community members.
Hon. Millicent Zuuri in an interview after the event, assured that, her commitment towards the health and wellbeing of her people remains topmost hence, would continue to undertake such screening exercise as well as initiate new programs in that regard, calling on every stakeholder to offer the requisite assistance to the people of her electoral area
Hon. Joseph Dakurah, speaking on behalf of the MP for the Nadowli/Kaleo constituency, Hon. Anthony Mwinkaara Suma, applauded Hon. Millicent Zuuri for such a wonderful initiative.
He reiterated that one of the thematic areas the MP is committed on giving more attention is the health sector. “You have seen that he has so far provided delivery beds to several health facilities and he has promised to do more,” he stated.
In all, two 278 females and 105 of their male counterparts were screened.
The few suspected cases of breast cancer have since been referred to the Upper West Regional hospital for further medical examinations.
Hon. Millicent Zuuri is the only elected female representative at the Nadowli/Kaleo Assembly.
After being sworn into office, she has engaged in diverse activities which seek to improve the lives of the people of the Samatigu electoral area.