Ogun Offers Free Breast Cancer Screening for Two Years

The First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, has announced a major health intervention that will provide free breast cancer screening for 10,000 women across the state over the next two years.

The initiative, driven by the Ajose Foundation in collaboration with First Ladies Against Cancer (FLAC), Roche Pharmaceuticals, and the Ogun State Ministry of Health, was unveiled during the official opening of the FLAC Breast Cancer Screening Clinic at the Oba Ademola Hospital, Abeokuta, on Wednesday.

Mrs. Abiodun explained that breast cancer accounts for 20 percent of all cancer-related deaths globally, stressing that Ogun is now the second state in Nigeria after Kwara to host a FLAC Cancer Screening Clinic.

“Early diagnosis saves lives. This clinic is designed to offer early detection, timely intervention, and sustained care to women across Ogun State,” the First Lady said, adding that the project underscores her commitment to advancing women’s health.

In her goodwill message, Dr. Zainab Bagudu, Wife of the former Governor of Kebbi State, former FLAC Chairperson, and President of the Union for International Cancer Control, urged women to take advantage of the new facility. She advised against relying on unverified remedies when symptoms such as breast lumps are noticed.

“Cancer does not wait. The earlier women present themselves for screening, the better their chances of survival,” Dr. Bagudu noted.

The current FLAC Chairperson and First Lady of Imo State, Barr. Chioma Uzodinma, commended the Ogun State initiative, describing it as a vital step in the nationwide effort by past and present First Ladies to eliminate cancer in Nigeria.

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Also speaking, Dr. Ladi Hameed, General Manager of Roche Pharmaceuticals, pledged the company’s continued technical support to ensure the sustainability of the screening and treatment program in partnership with the state government.

On the clinic’s operations, the Chief Medical Director of Oba Ademola Maternity Hospital, Dr. Olugbenga Taiwo, revealed that screening services would hold every Monday and Thursday to ensure regular access and broad coverage.

A cancer survivor, Mrs. Funmilola Agbayewa, lauded the initiative, describing it as timely and potentially life-saving.

“When I battled breast cancer eight years ago, facilities like this were not available. This project will help many women detect the disease early and get treatment in time,” she said.

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The event concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the First Lady, the Commissioner for Health, and Roche Pharmaceuticals to formalize the collaboration.

Mrs. Abiodun thanked Roche for prioritizing Ogun State and reaffirmed that early detection remains the strongest tool against breast cancer.