In a significant stride towards enhancing women’s health in Kwara State, the Leah Foundation partnered with the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) to provide free breast and cervical cancer screenings. This initiative, held on 5th October 2024 at the Leah Medical Centre in Ilorin, was a key event during the Annual YOWICAN State Convention and aligned with World Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Empowering Women Through Health Awareness
The collaboration aimed to address the pressing need for health awareness among women, particularly within Christian youth communities. Bro. Stephen Awoyale, Chairman of YOWICAN Kwara Chapter, highlighted the importance of such initiatives:
“We discovered that many youths face health challenges, especially our young and old women. By offering free screenings, we bring essential health services directly to them, removing barriers such as cost and accessibility.”
Comprehensive Health Services Provided
Beyond cancer screenings, attendees benefited from additional health checks, including blood pressure and blood sugar tests. Nurse Olusola Timilehin from Leah Medical Centre emphasised the critical role of early detection:
“Early detection through tests and interventions like this can save lives. We’ve seen individuals overcome cancer because it was identified early.”
Community Impact and Testimonials
The initiative received positive feedback from participants. Miss Balogun Morenike expressed her gratitude:
“I’m grateful for this opportunity. Accessing these services at a hospital would have incurred costs, but it’s been provided for free today.”
Similarly, Mr. Moyo Abolarin praised the organisers, describing the event as a “philanthropic exercise” that encourages proactive health management and aims to prevent unnecessary deaths.
Looking Ahead
The Leah Foundation remains committed to promoting health awareness and providing essential services to underserved communities. This collaboration with YOWICAN exemplifies the foundation’s dedication to empowering individuals through accessible healthcare initiatives.
Please visit the Leah Foundation’s official website for more information on upcoming health programmes and how to get involved.
