The Pokuaa Balm of Gilead Foundation, a not-for-profit and non-governmental organization (NGO) in the Effia-Kwesimintsim Municipality (EKMA) in the Western Region, has organized a free breast cancer screening exercise for women in the municipality.
The event took place at a central location in the community and attracted many residents, especially women of various ages and backgrounds. The breast cancer screenings were carried out by a team of experienced medical professionals who conducted thorough examinations using advanced techniques.
Dr Mrs Yaa Pokuaa Baiden, Founder of the Foundation, addressed the media and said that the initiative aimed to eliminate financial barriers and make healthcare services readily available to all in the Municipality.
She said one of the objectives of the Foundation was to bring healthcare to underprivileged women, children, and those who don’t have access to healthcare because their NHIS cards have expired or are unregistered for the Scheme.
Touting some of the activities of the Foundation, she disclosed that the Foundation, over the years, has donated educational materials to about fifteen (15) schools and has offered awareness on reproductive health care to over 700 students at the Senior High Schools (SHS) within the Municipality.
“So far, over seven hundred (700) women, in collaboration with the Lady Pharmacists Association, have also received sanitary towels as part of our empowerment programs toward women’s health”, she announced.
She was impressed by the turnout at the two venues, Kwesimintsim and Whindo, where the exercise took place, and said she hoped that more women would have their breasts checked to know their status.
Dr Yaa Pokuaa noted that the Foundation has been receiving requests from some members of the communities for assistance and pledged that the Foundation will continue to support the health and educational needs of the underprivileged in the Municipality.
Madam Jackline Addae, Oncology Nurse Specialist at the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital (ENRH) in charge of the Breast Care Unit who spoke with IGOGHANA, hinted that about seven (7) suspected cases were recorded and referred for breast scans.
According to her, most breast cancer cases don’t have symptoms and advised the women not to wait till they were diagnosed with the disease before they rushed to seek a cure.
“It is an opportunity to go for time-to-time check-ups since early detection saves lives. Consequences of being diagnosed with breast cancer are dire, and so regular check-ups must be adhered to with all seriousness”, she advised.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke with the GNA thanked Dr Yaa Pokuaa and the team for their support and looked forward to a more collaborative and successful exercise in the near future.
