Cervical Cancer, Second Most Common Cancer Amongst Women Worldwide- Barr (Mrs.) Okubor
As Lady Oak Association, Hands Over The Lady Oak Cancer Care Centre To Delta State Govt Over 100 Women Screened.
Cervical cancer has been said to be the second most common cancer amongst women worldwide, this is just as The Lady Oak Association hands over The Lady Oak Cancer Care Centre Agbor to the Delta State Government.
According to Barrister Mrs. Ewere Okubor the President Lady Oak Association in her speech during the ceremony held on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at the Central Hospital Agbor, “It is said that women living in Africa experience the highest burden of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer amongst women worldwide with an estimated 528,000 new cases and 266,000 deaths among women each year.”
She affirmed that, based on Globocon estimate of 2020, there were an estimated 626,400 new cases and 447,700 deaths from cervical cancer in Sub-Sahara Africa, while saying that it is projected that there would be an 85 percent increase in cancer incidence in Sub-Sahara Africa in the next fifteen years.
Earlier in her speech, she welcomed the Executive Governor of Delta State His Excellency Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa whom she described as “Our dynamic and able Governor” for making out time to be at the event personally even in his tight schedule.
Speaking further, she revealed that the Lady Oak Association is a Lagos-based socio-philanthropic, and service-oriented group of women from Ika either by birth or by marriage, who are passionately interested in social impact projects across communities. Affirming that the vision of the association is structured on 3 operational platforms, female empowerment, community development, and healthy living.
She disclosed that since the inception of The Lady Oak in 1987, the club has embarked on a varied plethora of programs across the 3 platforms within and outside Ika nation, adding that under the Healthy Living series, the group has conducted cervical cancer screenings in Ika community.
Continuing, she explained that due to the association’s intervention programmes, it was discovered that, women who tested positive for cervical cancer, had no access to a cancer center in the community, and that brought to the fore, the need for a facility such as The Lady Oak Cancer Centre. She proffered that the facility is a holistic all-in-one that caters to the various components of cancer mitigation and management: prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, as well as the mental and spiritual needs of cancer warriors.
She further averred that “Access to the full range of cancer management is critical. Asking for, what is the point of offering screening if positive results cannot be followed up with definitive diagnostic tests and treatment?
“We are very much aware that a timely and accurate diagnosis is essential, because, early detection makes the difference between a curable cancer and an untreatable one.”
In appreciation, she said, “Today, we pay homage to the goodwill and benevolence of our benefactors most especially Prince Ebeano Supermarket. They have indeed gone above and beyond the call of duty, exceeding all our expectations. Their generous contribution has brought to life the edifice that stands majestically here today. ”
The President noted that during their tour for source funds, Prince Ebeano Supermarket offered to underwrite the entire building cost which they did. She also mentioned Zenith Bank and a host of others whom she acknowledged and said they are too numerous to mention.
The Lady Oak boss also thanked the governor for the approval to build even without knowing the faces behind the Lady Oak Club, as she cited that the approval for the allocation was a catalyst
She extolled the First Lady of Delta State, Dame Edith Okowa, adding that her exploits and accomplishment across the State is a motivating factor for them, saying that she taught them how to take the bull by the horn.
Finally, she appealed for enabling legislation to secure the existence of the centre, adding that, institutions can only thrive if the enabling environment is right, and is supported by the right policies.
Speaking during the occasion, the Executive Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa CON disclosed that 2 years ago, he saw the edifice but never knew it would be completed this fast, just as he appreciated the President and all members of The Lady Oak Club.
Governor Okowa thanked The Oak Lady on behalf of the Delta State Government, He said, “You have done a great service to our people as a government, we appreciate you. Thank you for remembering home, no matter where you are, home is the best.
“God bless you for thinking about the people, for thinking about the women. This gesture will make our women live longer without pain. With this, a lot of lives have been saved, a lot would feel less pain. We understand the pain associated with cancer, ” he affirmed.
Continuing, he said, “We hope that in the next one year or two the School of Medicine, University of Delta, Agbor would kick off. The trauma center is not far away from here, the combination of all these facilities will make for a good teaching hospital, and we intend to use all these platforms for clinical studies.”
He averred that, although there is a lot of work to be done in the center, there is need to create consciousness amongst the people, adding that a lot of people tend to hide ailments when they observe any in their body.
The governor stated that he has just a week and two days to leave office, but assured that he will discuss the importance of the center with the incoming government.
He maintained that the only thing that would make him happy, is to see that the center is fully functional. He thanked Ebeano Supermarket for what he has done. He prayed God continue to impact their lives life., saying, “We expect much because you have done much.”
Gov. Okowa noted sadly, “We play politics about everything, Nigeria is becoming a broken nation. This is the time all need to rise to become builders of the society, it’s only when we build that the future would be bright, otherwise, the future is bleak.”
In my time, we have done a lot, there is a lot that can be done, but unfortunately, the country has not been able to harness her potentials.
On his part, the representative of Prince Ebeano, Mr. Godwin Simon noted that Prince Ebeano aims to see a revitalized healthcare system in the country, hence it decided to contribute in its little way. According to him, the management of Prince Ebeano Supermarket realizes that health is wealth, and is ready to do more to see that the people have access to quality health service delivery.
Mr. Simon encouraged all to do their best to the betterment of the health sector, and any other area possible with as much as the aim ofmaking the society a better place for all.
Lastly, he thanked Lady Oak for the vision, while praying to God to continue to give them more wisdom on how to better the society.
Speaking to newsmen immediately after the handover ceremony, the President, The Oak Lady Barrister Mrs. Ewere Okubor affirmed that, as part of the handover activities, over 100 women were screened for cervical cancer.
She said the reason why the association does most of its major projects in Ika land is because home is the best place for one to invest in, citing a local parlance “Olor ke egu ne efuru ihia eshi ezi’, meaning ” Your dance steps looks good on you from your home”.
She once again expressed their profound gratitude to Prince Ebeano Supermarket for personally footing the bill for the building of such a magnificent edifice, as she prayed that God Almighty will continue to bless them and their families.
Some of the beneficiaries of the cervical screening exercise thanked members of Oak Ladies for helping them in knowing their status. They prayed that God would continue to give them the wisdom and provision to do more for the people.
A husband of the one of the Oak Ladies revealed that the Oak started in 1985 in Lagos with some notable Ika sons as members, and in 1987 the wives of The Oak members decided to establish The Oak Ladies. He assured that there is nothing the women do without seeking the consent of their husbands. According to him, “They are very faithful and reliable wives. And we will continue to support them,” he affirmed.
LadyOak Association commemorates IWD with Ika women in Delta State
On Monday February 19, 2024, during a telephone interview with Lady Oak Christine Ewere Okubor, President, Lady Oak Club of Nigeria, a socio-philanthropic and service-oriented group of women from lka land in Delta State, I listened to her with rapt attention, speak on the forthcoming workshop put together by the group as part of activities lined up to mark the 2024 International Women’s Day,
Lady Oak Christine Ewere Okubor, President, Lady Oak Club of Nigeria
Aside from underlining that the Workshop which is slated for 8th of March, 2024, at the Conference Hall of Lady Oak Cancer Care Centre, Agbor Central Hospital, Agbor, Delta State will be graced by globally recognized resource persons, and shall comprise of the following sessions; one, Entrepreneurship; From Zero to Wealth; two, Women As Educators For Sustainable Societies, and three, Product branding, the erudite lawyer used the opportunity provided by the media parley to narrate how the group have in the past 36years of its existence been passionate and deeply committed to the continuous growth, health, wellbeing. Enterprise and career development of women especially those of lka descent at home and in the diaspora.
According to her, Lady Oak Club which started in 1987, as a small group of seven (7) lka women based in Lagos, Nigeria, who wanted to do something to better the plight of the lka woman in Lagos and back home, is today a registered Non-Governmental, Non Profit Making Voluntary Service and Charitable association under part C of the Nigerian Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) with CAC/IT/24420, head quartered at 18, Lawal Street, Oregun, Lagos State and blessed with a governance structure composed of a Board of Trustees (policy level), an executive committee of seven and a general assembly of 18 members.
But of all that I heard on that day, at that time and in that place, what remains outstanding, in my estimation was the association’s agenda for improving the welfare of women through three operational platforms, namely: Investment in social impact projects, some of which include; Female Empowerment, Community Development and Healthy Living.
Also alluring was the revelation that in the well over past 36 years of the organization’s existence, the Group has invested in impact projects, some of which include cervical cancer awareness, screening and linkage to treatment, wellness and healthy living seminars for women, donation of hospital equipment to health centres, SME development seminars for women, vocational training for girls, support to orphans, orphanages and vulnerable children, support to young persons with disability and the provision of braille and learning aid to school of the blind.
In the same vein, very commendable is the new awareness that in line with its vision to be the leading community based female organization that will champion and sustain the development of the IKA woman through the established platforms of empowerment, enterprise and healthy living, the Association is using best global practices to mobilize and effectively utilize all available resources in the execution of their programmes anchored on raising healthy skillful and enterprising community builders in IKA land.
Out of so many efforts geared towards giving back to the society, The Lady Oak Cancer Care Center stands out.
In fact, the initiative, in the opinion of this piece is laudable enough to enjoy the support of well-meaning individuals and institutions across the globe.
It was reportedly conceived in 2016 as a direct outcome of the implementation of a series of cervical cancer outreaches (sensitization, screening counseling expert consultation, prescription& dispensing of medication, linkage to treatment and follow-up) which were carried out by the Lady Oak Association in 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively.
The analysis of results from the 3-year outreach series indicated a 69% incidence of cancer (out of the 750 women reached). As there wasn’t and still isn’t any cancer treatment centre in or around Agbor and Asaba. Most of the women based in lka who tested positive were linked to treatment in Warri, Benin, and beyond. Follow-up indicated that a significant number of them did not access or follow-up on treatment due to logistical and other reasons. As in most Cancer cases, early detection and access treatment is key to survival chances.
The Group further observed that Globocan estimates shows that there were 14.1 million new cancer cases, 8.2 million cancer deaths and 326 million people living with cancer (within 5 years of diagnosis) in 2020 worldwide. 57% (8 million) of new cancer cases, 65% (5.3 milion) of the cancer deaths and 48% (15.6 milion) of the 5-year prevalent cancer cases occurred in the less developed regions such as Nigeria.
‘Their share of the global incidence is expected to increase to approximately 70% of the predicted 24 million people who will be diagnosed with cancer annually by 2050. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in the world and, by far, the most frequent cancer among women with an estimated 1.67 million new cancer cases diagnosed in 2020 (25% of all cancers)’.
Cervical cancer, they noted, is the fourth most common cancer in women, and the seventh overall, with an estimated 528,000 new cases in 2020. A large majority (around 85%) of the global burden occurs in the less developed regions, where it accounts for almost 12% of all female cancers. There were an estimated 266,000 deaths from cervical cancer worldwide in 2012, accounting for 7.5% of all female cancer deaths. Almost nine out of ten (876) cervical cancer deaths occur in the less developed regions.
‘Sub-Saharan Africa’s cancer burden is significant and growing. Based on Globocan estimate of 2020, there were an estimated 626,400 new cases of cancer and 447,700 deaths from cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa. Based on population aging alone, cancer incidence in Sub-Saharan Africa is projected to increase by 85% in the next fifteen years. Cancer in Africa is characterized by late presentation, low access to treatment, and poor treatment outcomes. Delays in access to cancer treatment result in 80-90% of cases that are in an advanced stage at the time of arrival to treatment’.
In view of the above, the Association resolved to build and equip a Standard Cancer Care Centre at the Central Hospital, Agbor so that the people can access quick and regular screenings and medical treatment where necessary, In furtherance of which we approached and received from the Delta State Government, the approval and allocation of a piece of land within the premises of the Central Hospital Agbor to build this center.
‘Our goal is to build and equip a facility where both the male and female gender can be screened and treated for most cancer diseases’’.
The center when completed, shall boast of the following facilities; On-site parthology lab, 250KVA Generator, Pharmacy, Radiology services offering, PET.CT and CT scan, MRI, Mammography, Digital X-ray, Ultrasound, Chapel, Counselling unit, Conference Hall, Consulting rooms, Screening rooms, 10 bed Ward, Chemotherapy bay, Access to allied health and support services among others.
On the progress made, the Association revealed that as of November 2022, they have achieved 95% completion of the structural works required for the Lady Oak Cancer Care Center and are now seeking partnerships and support to enable them progress to the furnishing and equipment phase of the project.
‘’We are seeking your kind assistance to raise the sum of N2.8Billion in cash OR kind, to fund the procurement of medical diagnostic equipment, medical consumables and fittings for Phase 2 of our project development plan. This can be done through Cash Donation towards the procurement of equipment for the facility.
Cash donation towards furnishing and fitting of the facility.
In-kind donation of equipment towards the facility.
DONATIONS WILL BE THANKFULLY RECEIVED
NAIRA ACCOUNT
- Zenith Bank: Lady Oak Club of Nigeria. Account No: 1014719430
- DOMICILIARY ACCOUNT
- Zenith Bank-Lady Oak Club of Nigeria. Account No: 5071207361.
Utomi Jerome-Mario is the Programme Coordinator (Media and Policy), Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA), Lagos. He could be reached via;jeromeutomi@yahoo.com/08032725374.
Dein Of Agbor Kingdom Urges NDDC To Equip Cancer Treatment Centre At Central Hospital
In a passionate plea for improved healthcare infrastructure, His Royal Majesty, Dr. Benjamin Kiagborekuzi, the Dein of Agbor Kingdom, has urged the leadership of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to step in, and assist in equipping the Cancer Treatment Center situated at the Central Hospital in Agbor.
Represented by the President-General of Agbor Development Union, Chief Larry Onyeche, the Dein raised his concerns during a one-day Sensitisation Campaign on Cancer, jointly organised by the NDDC and the Gilbert Hills Commission. The event, held at the Cancer Treatment Center within the Central Hospital premises, aimed to raise awareness about the disease and its management.
Highlighting the current state of the facility, the Dein emphasised that although the Center was constructed through the collaborative efforts of Oak Lady Club and Ebeano Super Market, and subsequently donated to the Delta State Government, it remains devoid of essential medical equipment necessary for cancer treatment.
Furthermore, the traditional ruler underscored the broader challenges facing the Central Hospital, asserting that the entire facility lacked crucial medical equipment and suffered from a shortage of both professional and non-professional staff.
Expressing his concern for the wellbeing of the community, the Dein called on governmental bodies at all levels, as well as donor agencies and philanthropic individuals, to rally behind the cause of equipping the Center and upgrading the entire Central Hospital.
Moreover, he urged the organisers of the Campaign to extend their outreach efforts across the entirety of Ika land, ensuring that awareness about the devastating impact of cancer reaches every corner of the region where knowledge of the disease remains limited.
The heartfelt appeal from the Dein of Agbor Kingdom serves as a rallying cry for collective action to address the pressing healthcare needs of the community, underscoring the vital role of organisations like the NDDC in facilitating access to quality medical services for all citizens.