By Sarjo Camara-Singateh
The health promotion and education directorate under the ministry of
health and social welfare, on Thursday 14th of January briefed the
press on its readiness to create massive cancer awareness walk, which
is slated for 4th February, 2016. This coincides with the world
cancer day, according to Mr. Modou Njai the Director of HealthPromotion and Education. He said the event is planned to start from the
new National Assembly in Banjul where everyone will converge and walk
to create awareness on the disease and the theme for the event is “We can, I can”. He
stated that the localize theme is “We can, I can, The Gambia Can”
According to Mr. Modou Njai preparations are on high gears and
they need the media to continue fostering their kind relations that
they were accorded with. He noted that the backdrop of this effort is
to create cancer awareness and to raise support in various ways for
the revitalization of the existing cancer unit at Edward Francis Small
Teaching Hospital
Mr. Njai said this cancer awareness walk is organized by the ministry
of health and social welfare and the office of the first lady who is
spearheading the event. Mr. Njai said the event will attract speeches
from health personnel, presentations, display of information and
education materials on various cancers.
He said cancer is a concern, Gambia he said, is faced with four
types of cancers, namely cervical, prostate, breast and liver
cancers. He noted that they have established a national task force
that has various committees to ensure that the event would be
successful.
Mr. Abdoulie Janneh a focal person on cervical cancer at the ministry
of health said the cancer walk will enable people to know more
about the disease; he said currently five health fertilities are
screening centres for interested persons to know their status. He
noted that in the case of cervical cancer they targeted grade 3 (nine
to thirteen years old) children in West Coast Region which is a two
year programme, and the idea is to have Gambia women free from cancer.
He urged people to come out undergo cancer screening. Mr. Janneh said they are also vaccinating against hepatitis B too.
Mr. Omar Badjie, programme manager non-communicable diseases and focal
point on tobacco, who chaired the briefing said there is an event on
cancer and of the traditional support of the. He said in totality
seven cancers exist, but in the Gambia we have four cancers, he said
cancer is very painful, it has no cure, he noted that someone with
cancer only receive palliative care
Mr. Lamin Sanyang, a health promotion and education officer gave the
vote of thanks.
Mr. Sanjally Trawally, the deputy director of health promotion and
education directorate gave the closing remarks. He also acknowledged
the support given to them by the media during the Ebola outbreak. He further stated
the need for the media to give a helping hand in this cancer awareness creation walk.
