By Stella Anekwe
The Anambra State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Chinyere Esther Onyekesi, has attracted the support of Anambra Women United (AWU), Chicago, United States, to provide breast cancer treatment assistance to seven vulnerable women of Anambra origin.
The initiative, announced as part of activities marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October is designed to provide financial assistance for medical treatment and prescribed medications to women diagnosed with Stage 1, 2 or 3 breast cancer who cannot afford the cost of care.
According to the programme announcement, eligible beneficiaries will also receive one year of health insurance coverage through the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA), providing additional support for their healthcare needs.
The President of Anambra Women United, Iyom Sophia Ojukwu, reaffirmed the importance of supporting vulnerable women, particularly those facing serious health challenges and financial hardship. A flyer announcing the initiative indicated that the programme is a partnership between AWU in the United States and the Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
As part of the application process, eligible patients or their healthcare facilities are required to submit the patient’s full name and phone number, the referring doctor’s name and contact details, the hospital’s name, the cancer stage, the date of diagnosis, the patient’s written consent and a brief assessment of the patient’s financial needs.
Teaching hospitals and other healthcare providers across Eastern Nigeria have also been invited to refer eligible patients for consideration. The organisers emphasised that proper documentation would enable them to assess applicants according to the programme’s eligibility criteria.
The deadline for submitting referrals is October 29, 2026. Referrals and enquiries can be directed to Dr. Adaora Ogbuefi, AWU Vice President and Committee Chair, through [email protected]. Further enquiries can also be made through the Ministry of Women Affairs on 0706 858 0385.
The organisers urged eligible women, their families, hospitals and healthcare professionals to identify and refer patients who require financial assistance to access treatment, stressing the importance of timely medical attention and community support in addressing breast cancer.
Promoted under the message, “Early Detection Saves Lives — Stronger Women, Brighter Tomorrows,” the initiative seeks to raise awareness, improve access to treatment and strengthen support for women living with breast cancer across Anambra State.
Stella Anekwe is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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