Access Bank has partnered with Help the Woman Initiative to launch an ambitious cervical cancer awareness and screening programme in Akwa Ibom State, targeting over one million women across the oil-rich state.

The initiative, dubbed Project UWUS (Unstoppable Woman, Unbreakable Spirit), comes as cervical cancer emerges as the second most prevalent cancer among women in Akwa Ibom, with alarming statistics showing a prevalence rate of 22.1 per cent.

The bank’s intervention addresses critical healthcare gaps in the state, where limited access to medical facilities, deep-rooted cultural barriers, and insufficient public awareness have contributed to delayed diagnosis and elevated mortality rates among women.

Speaking at the programme launch, Head of Women Banking at Access Bank, Nene Kunle-Ogunlusi, emphasized the institution’s commitment to women’s health advancement.

“Empowering women begins fundamentally with protecting their health. Project UWUS demonstrates our unwavering dedication to improving health outcomes, advancing gender equality, and creating sustainable community impact through our corporate social responsibility framework,” Kunle-Ogunlusi stated.

The comprehensive healthcare initiative encompasses multiple intervention strategies designed to tackle cervical cancer from prevention through treatment support.

The programme includes extensive awareness campaigns utilising radio broadcasts, social media platforms, market outreaches, and community engagement sessions to reach its ambitious target of one million women.

Beyond awareness creation, the project provides free cervical cancer screening services across multiple communities throughout Akwa Ibom State.

To encourage participation, particularly among underserved populations, the initiative includes the distribution of welfare packages to over 1,000 disadvantaged women.

The programme also incorporates capacity building components, focusing on training health volunteers and healthcare workers to ensure the sustainability of cervical cancer prevention efforts beyond the immediate intervention period.

Recognising the importance of institutional support, Project UWUS includes strategic policy engagement through advocacy visits to state ministries and primary healthcare boards, aimed at securing long-term alignment and programme sustainability.