By Patricia Osegbue
Residents of Onitsha and surrounding communities have been urged to take advantage of free medical screening services for tuberculosis (TB), high blood pressure, pneumonia, breast cancer, cervical cancer and other life threatening infectious diseases being provided by the Save the World Support Foundation, a non-governmental organisation funded by the Global Fund.
Speaking during a free medical outreach held on July 12 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Inland Town, Onitsha, the Executive Director of the foundation, Mr. John Ibekwe, said the organisation is committed to bringing quality healthcare closer to the people through early disease detection and treatment.
According to him, the foundation’s operations cover the seven Local Government Areas(LGA) in Anambra North Senatorial District, where its health teams conduct community to community and house to house case finding exercises, particularly for chest related illnesses.
Ibekwe explained that the foundation uses portable mobile X-ray machines and other diagnostic equipment to screen residents for tuberculosis, pneumonia, hypertensio and other infectious diseases, noting that all services, from diagnosis to treatment, are provided free of charge.
He disclosed that the organisation conducts breast cancer and cervical cancer screening. Citing a recent outreach at Nkataku Community in Ogbaru LGA, saying two women were diagnosed with cervical cancer among those screened, underscoring the importance of early detection.
According to him, the foundation has entered into Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with other non-governmental organisations to ensure that women requiring further breast and cervical cancer tests receive the services at subsidised rates.
Ibekwe, who has spent many years working as a health officer, said his passion for providing free healthcare is driven by the desire to save lives through early diagnosis and timely treatment.
He described cervical cancer as a disease linked to the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), noting that the virus is commonly transmitted through sexual contact.
He advised sexually active persons, especially those with multiple sexual partners, to undergo regular screening, stressing that early detection greatly increases the chances of successful treatment.
Speaking on the Global Fund programme, he said Nigeria has implemented six Global Fund grant cycles across the states and is currently implementing the seventh cycle, which will run until December before the eighth cycle begins in 2027.
He, however, identified some challenges affecting the programme, including shortages of cartridges and laboratory reagents, delays in salary payments to staff, and the introduction of external bodies into the project, which he said can sideline local health workers familiar with the communities and terrain.
Although the foundation operates extensively in Anambra State, Ibekwe noted that it receives no direct financial support from the state government, adding that the government provides manpower and accommodation to support some of its activities.
He reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to expanding access to free healthcare services and reducing the burden of tuberculosis, cancer and other infectious diseases across communities in Anambra North.
Patricia Osegbue is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
