Rivers State Government, in partnership with the Dr Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Hospital (POCCH) and Health Invest Africa, has launched a free breast cancer screening programme targeting 10,000 women across the state.
The initiative is aimed at promoting early detection of breast cancer, improving access to diagnosis and treatment, and reducing cancer-related deaths among women.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr Vincent Wachukwu, commended the hospital’s management for the initiative at the 2026 Pink October ceremony held at POCCH in Port Harcourt on Saturday.
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Wachukwu described early detection as critical to reducing cancer-related deaths, noting that breast and cervical cancers remained major health concerns affecting women.
He urged women to undergo regular medical examinations and practise monthly breast self-examinations to identify unusual lumps or changes that might require medical attention.
The permanent secretary advised women who noticed abnormalities in their breasts to seek prompt medical attention from qualified healthcare professionals, stressing that early diagnosis could improve treatment outcomes.
He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to collaborating with POCCH and Health Invest Africa to strengthen cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Wachukwu also encouraged women across the state to take advantage of the free registration and mammogram screening programme to ascertain their breast health status.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of POCCH, Dr Toni Rahme, disclosed that Nigeria recorded an estimated 44,000 new breast cancer cases and more than 21,000 deaths in 2024.
Rahme said the figures highlighted the urgent need to expand access to screening and improve early diagnosis, adding that financial constraints should not prevent women from accessing essential healthcare services.
He explained that mammograms could detect breast abnormalities before symptoms became apparent, thereby enabling earlier diagnosis and timely treatment.
According to him, the hospital’s target of providing up to 10,000 free mammograms was designed to remove financial barriers and encourage more women to undergo screening.
Rahme disclosed that registration for the programme had commenced, while screening appointments would follow.
He explained that Health Invest Africa worked with governments across Nigeria to strengthen healthcare management and improve access to specialist medical services, noting that the partnership with the Rivers State Government was intended to translate that commitment into practical benefits for women.
The POCCH chief executive commended the state Ministry of Health for its continued support and praised the hospital’s staff for their dedication to caring for patients and their families.
He expressed optimism that the programme would enable more women to receive timely diagnosis and treatment, improve their chances of survival and help families enjoy longer lives together.
The Pink October ceremony also celebrated breast cancer survivors and honoured women who had lost their lives to the disease.
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