The Chairman, Nasarawa State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Mr. Larry Ven-Bawa, has urged women to always go for breast and cervical cancer screening as well as tests.

Ven-Bawa, also Member representing Akwanga North State Constituency, said that this was in order for them to know their status.

The Chief Whip of the house also stated this on Thursday during the inauguration of the four-day free breast and cervical cancer sensitization and screening for 2000 women in the constituency at Agyaga, Akwanga LGA.

He said that he decided to organize breast and cervical cancer screening in order to enable the women to ascertain their status in the interest of their health.

“The early detection of breast and cervical cancer will save the lives of women and others.

“The sensitization and screening of the 2000 women is free of charge,” he said.

The lawmaker disclosed that the program would be held in Primary Health Care Centres in the six electoral wards of the constituency.

”I have provided fertilizers, palliatives, employment and empowerment among others and today i am sponsoring this exercise as health is wealth.

” I will continue to give topmost priority to the health of the people of Akwanga North constituency and others.

” As a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. I have done well in the area of health among other areas.

” I want to assure you of my continued determination to prioritize the health needs of the people of my constituency,” Ven-Bawa said.

The lawmaker called on the women of his constituency to avail themselves of the opportunity in order to be screened for breast and cervical cancer.

” Many women have died of cancer, hence the need for women to come out for this exercise as prevention is better than cure,” he said.

Ven-Bawa also pledged continued sound and effective representation at the state legislature.
The lawmaker commended Gov. Abdullahi Sule for his efforts in developing the state and for the peace being enjoyed in the state.

He also thanked Mr Danladi Jatau, the Speaker of the house for stabilizing the 7th Assembly.

The lawmaker called on his constituents to continue to pray and support Sule, and the speaker to succeed.

Dr Gwamna Gaza, the Commissioner for Health, while declaring the event open, restated the state government’s commitment to giving attention to the treatment of cancer and other diseases in the state.

Gaza, who was represented by Dr Yahaya Ubam, Executive Secretary, Nasarawa State Health Insurance Agency (NASHIA) commended the lawmaker for prioritizing the health of the women and other people of his constituency.

He also called on the women to come out for the exercise in order to be screened and tested.

The commissioner urged the people of Akwanga North and other citizens of the state to key into the health insurance scheme in the interest of their health.

On her part, Elisha Mbegir, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mbegir Humanitarian Cancer Initiative, expressed the NGO’s readiness to continue to partner with the lawmaker and other individuals on breast and cervical cancer.

She urged the people, particularly women, to always go for breast and cervical cancer screening to ascertain their status.

The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that the lawmaker organized the exercise in collaboration with the NGO.