COOUTH Launches Free Cervical, Breast and Prostate Cancer Screening for Soludo Birthdays.
Teaching hospital offers week-long Pap smear, mammography and PSA tests as Anambra first couple mark special days.
AWKA, NIGERIA – The iNews Times | Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) https://coouth.hospital, Amaku-Awka, has commenced a week-long COOUTH free cancer screening exercise covering cervical, breast and prostate cancers to mark the birthdays of Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo and his wife, Dr Nonye Soludo.
The programme, which began on Monday 27 July 2026 and runs until Friday 31 July, provides free Pap smear tests for cervical cancer, mammography for breast cancer and Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) tests for prostate cancer. Organisers say the outreach also celebrates the couple’s sustained commitment to preventive healthcare and healthy living across Anambra State.
In this report, we examine the key developments, reactions from stakeholders, and the broader implications.
Background of the Story
Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in Nigeria, with cervical, breast and prostate cancers ranking among the most common and most deadly when detected late. Limited access to affordable screening has long hindered early diagnosis, particularly among low- and middle-income residents.
Governor Soludo’s administration has prioritised healthcare infrastructure, including the completion of a multi-million-naira trauma centre described as the only one of its kind in the South-East, recruitment of health workers, free antenatal care and delivery services, and the upgrading of general hospitals. His wife’s Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo initiative has similarly focused on nutrition, maternal and child health, and disease prevention. The iNews Times observes that linking the free screening to their birthdays transforms a personal celebration into a public health intervention aligned with these existing priorities.
Key Developments
Chief Medical Director of COOUTH, Dr Maureen Umeakuewulu, announced the exercise after touring the facility with journalists. She explained that the hospital chose free screening as a more meaningful tribute than conventional congratulatory messages or advertisements.
“I told my management team that this would make a greater impact because the governor’s wife has continued to touch lives through her Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo initiative, while the governor has made significant investments in the state’s healthcare sector,” she said. “We believed that offering free healthcare services would be a more meaningful way of celebrating them.”
Dr Umeakuewulu noted that ordinary hospital charges stand at ₦20,000 for PSA tests and ₦25,000 for mammograms. Despite the high cost of the outreach, the hospital decided to absorb the expenses so that average residents could access the services. She stressed that cancer is the number one global health threat and that early detection dramatically improves treatment outcomes and survival rates.
Those who test negative will receive guidance on future screening schedules, while those who test positive will receive further management at the teaching hospital. Screening takes place daily from 8:00 a.m. at the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Radiology.
Eligibility is clearly defined: women aged 25 to 65 years for free Pap smear, women aged 40 years and above for free mammography, and up to 200 men aged 40 years and above for free PSA tests on a first-come, first-served basis. More than 1,000 people are expected to benefit during the five-day period. Even as heavy rain fell on the opening morning, large numbers of men and women arrived at the hospital seeking the free tests.
Reactions from Stakeholders
Hospital management described the initiative as a direct expression of gratitude for the first couple’s contributions to the health sector. Dr Umeakuewulu emphasised that the governor and his wife would value a programme that benefits ordinary citizens more than any public advertisement.
Residents who turned up on the first day expressed relief at the opportunity. Several women told The iNews Times that the cost of mammography had previously placed the test beyond their reach. Health advocates in Awka welcomed the focus on the three cancers, noting that consistent public screening campaigns remain rare outside major urban centres.
Implications
The COOUTH free cancer screening exercise carries significance beyond the birthday celebrations. It demonstrates how public institutions can convert symbolic occasions into tangible health interventions. By removing the financial barrier for a full week, the hospital increases the likelihood of detecting cancers at treatable stages and reduces the long-term burden on both families and the state health system.
The programme also reinforces the message that preventive care is a shared responsibility between government, health facilities and citizens. Successful uptake could encourage similar timed outreaches linked to other public milestones, gradually normalising routine screening across Anambra.
What Happens Next
Screening continues daily until 31 July 2026. Residents who meet the age criteria are encouraged to present early at the designated departments. After the exercise, COOUTH will manage positive cases and provide follow-up advice to those who test negative.
The hospital’s experience this week may inform future large-scale screening programmes. State health authorities are likely to monitor turnout and outcomes closely as part of broader efforts to strengthen cancer control in Anambra.
Conclusion
By offering free cervical, breast and prostate cancer screening in honour of Governor Soludo and Dr Nonye Soludo’s birthdays, COOUTH has turned a personal milestone into a public health opportunity. The initiative underscores the value of early detection and reflects the first couple’s stated commitment to the wellbeing of Ndi Anambra. As the week progresses, the true measure of success will be the number of lives potentially saved through timely diagnosis. The iNews Times will continue to follow the outcomes of this important outreach.
