*as Imo NAWOJ organizes interface for heathy living of members .
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
Marie Stopes’ Social and Behaviour Communication Officer, Mr Chima Samuel has tasked women to take seriously everything that concerns their sexual and reproductive health.
Mr. Samuel gave the charge at an enlightenment session by the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, (NAWOJ), Imo State Chapter to acquaint its members on “Sexual and Reproductive Health Services”.
The Communication Officer pointed out that most of the challenges women are facing comes from their being careless with their sexual and reproductive life, especially when they start giving birth.
He stressed that this has caused serious health challenges for most of the women, adding that some have even died in the process as the health issues were not dictated on time.
Speaking further, Mr Samuel listed some of the services offered by Marie Stopes’ Social and Behaviouras gynaecology consultation, Sexually Transmitted Infections, STI diagnosis and treatment, Cervical Cancer screening, ultrasound scan, HPV Vaccination, among others.
Advising women to always see the need to go for check ups, he said early detection of certain diseases like Cervical Cancer can go a long way in preventing its detrimental effects on a patient and that most of their services are free of charge as they have donors who are supporting them as an international organization.
He stressed that Marie Stopes’ Social and Behaviour are partnering with the Imo State Ministry of Health in ensuring that they achieve their aims in the state and that they are also patnering with the health centers in most of the Local Government Areas in the state in other to make sure that imolites can easily access their services wherever they are.
He stressed further they also offered employment opportunity to people who wants to join them in saving lives.
Chairperson of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, (NAWOJ), Imo State Chapter, Dr. Dorothy Nnaji appreciated the group for what they are doing for the people, saying, ” it is quite commendable as everyone is aware that one of the priceless possession one can have is good health.”
Dr Nnaji stated that she deemed it necessary for the interface to take place seeing that the association is made up of women who are up to the age of child bearing, adding that due to the way our sexual system is wired, that we could be prone to Cervical Cancer or diverse health challenges without knowing.Commending the subsidized rate at which the organization offer their services to the people,
The Imo state NAWOJ Chairperson urged her members to seize the opportunity given to them in making sure that they go for regular check ups and as well encouraged other women to also cash into such opportunity by hooking up with the various health centres that are in partnership with the Marie Stopes, in other to get themselves checked.
