By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

In commemoration of Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo’s birthday and his wife, the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka, is set to kick off a one-week free medical check fchor residents of the state.

The free medical check starting on Monday, July 27, 2026 include, cervical cancer screening (Pap smear), mammography for early breast cancer detection, and prostate cancer screening.

The programme is also intended to celebrate the Governor’s leadership with his wife and her commitment towards promoting healthy living among the people of Anambra State through initiatives that encourage disease prevention and early detection.

Expectation is that women aged between 25 to 65 years old will benefit from the free cervical cancer screening (Pap smear), while women 40 years and above will receive free mammography screening for the early detection of breast cancer.

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

According to the Chief Medical Director of COOUTH, Dr. Maureen Uche Umeakuewulu, the screening exercise will commence daily by 8:00 a.m at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G) and the Department of Radiography, unit, COOUTH, Amaku, Awka.

She said: “The free medical screening programme was designed to appreciate Governor Charles Soludo and his wife, Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo, for their unwavering commitment to improving the health and well-being of Ndi Anambra.

“The Governor’s wife, through her Healthy Living Initiative, has positively impacted the lives of thousands of residents across the state by promoting healthy lifestyles, preventive healthcare, and regular medical screening.

“Governor Soludo has consistently demonstrated exceptional commitment to strengthening the healthcare system and improving access to quality healthcare services for the people of Anambra State.

“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 is 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.

“As part of our appreciation for their outstanding efforts in promoting preventive healthcare and healthy living, we decided to organize this free cancer screening programme for the people of the state.”

Umeakuewulu further emphasized that early detection remains one of the most effective strategies in the fight against cervical, breast, and prostate cancers, noting that when these cancers are diagnosed at an early stage, treatment is more effective, survival rates are significantly improved, and many lives can be saved.

She urged eligible women and men across the state to take advantage of the free screening programme, stressing that routine cancer screening is an essential component of preventive healthcare that should not be neglected.