The Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka, has commenced a one-week free medical screening programme offering cervical cancer screening (Pap smear), mammography for early breast cancer detection, and prostate cancer screening.

The exercise began on Monday, July 27, 2026, with the free cervical cancer screening (Pap smear) and mammography programme scheduled to conclude on Friday, July 31, 2026.

The initiative is being held to commemorate the birthdays of the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, and his wife, Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo, whose birthdays fall on July 28 and July 31, 2026, respectively.

According to the hospital, the outreach is also intended to celebrate the couple’s leadership and commitment to advancing healthy living across Anambra State through programmes that encourage disease prevention and early detection.

Under the programme, women between the ages of 25 and 65 years are eligible for free cervical cancer screening (Pap smear), while women aged 40 years and above will receive free mammography screening aimed at the early detection of breast cancer.

Additionally, 200 men aged 50 years and above will benefit from free prostate cancer screening.

The screening exercise begins daily at 8:00 a.m. and is taking place at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G) and the Department of Radiography at COOUTH, Amaku, Awka.

The Chief Medical Director of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka, Dr. Maureen Uche Umeakuewulu, said the medical outreach was organised as a gesture of appreciation to Governor Charles Soludo and Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo for their sustained commitment to improving the health and well-being of Ndi Anambra.

She noted that the Governor’s wife, through her Healthy Living Initiative, has positively influenced thousands of residents across the state by promoting healthy lifestyles, preventive healthcare and regular medical screening.

Dr. Umeakuewulu also said Governor Soludo has consistently demonstrated strong commitment to strengthening the state’s healthcare system and expanding access to quality healthcare services for residents.

“We felt that since both the Governor and his wife have demonstrated remarkable commitment to improving the health and well-being of Ndi Anambra, it was only fitting to use the week of their birthdays, July 28 for the Governor and July 31 for Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo to support and celebrate their vision of a healthier Anambra State.

“ACOOUTH Awka offers free cervical, breast and prostate cancer screening from July 27–31, 2026, to promote early detection across Anambra State.

Dr. Umeakuewulu further stressed that early detection remains one of the most effective approaches in combating cervical, breast and prostate cancers. She explained that identifying these cancers at an early stage improves treatment outcomes, significantly increases survival rates and helps save lives.

She therefore encouraged eligible women and men across Anambra State to take advantage of the free screening programme, emphasizing that routine cancer screening is a vital aspect of preventive healthcare and should not be overlooked.

Source: Star Connect Media