First Lady Mrs. Sia Nyama Koroma on Thursday 10th May 2012, assured health workers of ‘Well Woman Clinic’ and patients of breast cancer of her fullest support and commitment to eradicate breast cancer in Sierra Leone.
Madam Koroma made this assurance during a courtesy call on her by ‘Melvine Edith Patricia Stuart Trust- Well Woman Clinic’ at her office at State Lodge in Freetown. The clinic is responsible for the provision of free medical services to cancer patients.
During the visit, discussions on the successes and challenges in the treatment of cancer patients in Sierra Leone were featured. Prior to the discussions, Well Woman Clinic held several breast cancer examinations and education as part of their outreach programmes for staffs at State Lodge.
First Lady Mrs. Sia Nyama Koroma
Welcoming the entourage, First Lady Mrs. Koroma cited that when her husband took up governance in 2007, he considered health as a priority and introduced the Free Health Care Initiative. She expressed her desire to be associated with anything that has to do with health development in Sierra Leone.
On a very sad note, Mrs. Koroma informed her audience of a family member whom she lost to cancer, whilst emphasizing on the dangers of the disease. She further reassured her commitment to prioritize the issue of cancer and give all necessary support to Well Woman Clinic in their fight against cancer in Sierra Leone.
Earlier, the visitors told the First Lady that Well Woman Clinic has always championed the fight against breast cancer. They said the clinic focuses on educating people on breast cancer issues and also encouraging them to go for early check ups.
According to them, breast cancer can affect the reproductive system and as an institution, they are exhausting all avenues to reduce the fatal result of the disease. The women revealed that Sierra Leone still lacks equipments and treatments for cancer, whilst further explaining the difficulties faced by patients as a result of this lack.
Lack of awareness and traditional beliefs, they went on, have also contributed to serious and fatal cases of breast cancer, especially in the interiors. According to them, the clinic now conducts countrywide outreach education programmes on breast cancer. They encouraged all Sierra Leoneans to go to the clinic whenever they are suspicious of any foreign feature on their breasts. The women appealed to the First Lady to lobby for the provision of Cancer specialists and also drugs for cancer patients in the country.
Members of the Breast Cancer Survivors Club, who also formed part of the visiting entourage, reminded cancer patients that there can be life after cancer affliction.
They advised all Sierra Leoneans to frequently conduct self-check ups on their breast for any foreign lumps and immediately report it to the clinic, before it developed to another stage.
© Copyright by Awareness Times
Newspaper in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
