Rivers State Government and the Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Hospital (POCCH) have launched a free breast cancer screening initiative to promote early breast cancer detection initiative.

According to available information, the initiative which  targets 10,000 women aims at promoting early breast cancer detection, improving treatment and reducing deaths associated with the disease.

It will also provide up to 10,000 free mammograms, a screening procedure used to detect breast abnormalities before symptoms become apparent, particularly removing the financial barriers that prevent many women from accessing early diagnosis.

The Chief Executive Officer of Peter Odili Cancer and cardiovascular Hospital, Dr. Toni Rahme, disclosed this last Saturday during the hospital’s Pink October event in Port Harcourt, where cancer survivors were celebrated and those who had lost their lives to the disease in Rivers State were honoured.

Rahme said registration for the free mammogram programme had opened, with screening appointments to be scheduled subsequently, urging women across the State to register and take advantage of the opportunity.

He said the initiative was designed to encourage more women to undergo regular breast cancer screening, stressing that early detection and prompt treatment could significantly improve survival outcomes.

The hospital chief executive cited Nigeria’s estimated 44,000 new breast cancer cases and more than 21,000 deaths recorded in 2024, saying the figures underscored the urgent need for expanded screening programmes and improved access to cancer care.

“Behind these figures are women, families and futures. The cases identified at POCCH remind us why early detection matters.

“A mammogram can find changes before symptoms appear, and finding cancer early and treating it promptly can save lives,” he said.

Explaining the decision to target 10,000 free screenings, Rahme said the hospital wanted to ensure that the cost of mammography would not prevent women from knowing their breast cancer status.

“That is why we aim to provide up to 10,000 free mammograms: to remove a cost barrier and help more women get checked. Today, registration opens, and screening appointments will follow,” he said.

He urged women in Rivers State to take advantage of the programme, stressing that identifying breast cancer at an early stage could increase the chances of successful treatment and reduce avoidable deaths.

“To our women community, your health matters to us. Come forward. Hand by hand, let us walk beside you,” Rahme said.

He commended the Rivers State Government for supporting POCCH’s efforts to expand access to specialised healthcare, acknowledging the contributions of the State Ministry of Health and its commissioner, Dr. Vincent Wachukwu, to advancing the partnership.

Rahme said the collaboration between the State Government and the hospital reflected a shared commitment to bringing specialised medical services closer to residents and improving healthcare delivery.

“Across Nigeria, Health Invest Africa works with government to strengthen healthcare management and bring specialist care closer to communities.

“Here at Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Hospital, our partnership with the Rivers State Government turns that shared vision into service,” he said.

The POCCH chief executive also praised the hospital’s medical personnel and other workers for their dedication to patient care, describing their efforts as vital to giving cancer patients and their families hope.

He expressed optimism that the 10,000 free mammogram initiative would enable more women to detect breast cancer early, access timely treatment and survive the disease.

“There is a sound we want to hear more often at POCCH: the bell ringing in our oncology department, marking a new beginning, a new hope, a new life.

“Let this campaign give more women the chance to reach that bell, more children the chance to hold their mother’s hand, and more families the hope of many years together. That is the future we are working for. That is why we are here,” Rahme said.

 

John Bibor, Goodness Emelue & Chioma Wali

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator DouyeDiri, has unveiled Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered robotic tutors and other digital learning innovations at the Bayelsa Medical University (BMU), Yenagoa, as part of efforts to advance medical education, research and technological development in the state.

The Tide reports that the innovations were unveiled on Monday alongside the university’s 2025–2029 Strategic Plan, with the governor urging the institution to deploy technology to improve teaching, learning and research without replacing physical classroom interactions and the mentorship role of lecturers.

The governor described the initiative as a significant step towards modernising medical education, but stressed that digital tools must complement human instruction and make learning more interactive.

He challenged the university’s management to translate its strategic plan into measurable improvements in academic standards, research,infrastructure and the quality of graduates.

He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting BMU’s ASPIRE Agenda, which focuses on academic excellence, sustainability, partnerships and engagement, innovation and technology, research excellence, and empowerment, leadership development and welfare.

The State’s Chief Executive commended the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. DimieOgoina, and the university’s management for developing a roadmap for institutional growth, and charged them to collaborate with the state’s Ministries of Education and Health to achieve its objectives.

The Bayelsa Governor also said neurship and self-reliance.his administration was strengthening science, technical and vocational education to equip young people with practical skills for employment, entrepreneurship and self-reliance.

He expressed confidence that the science-oriented schools being established across the state would provide qualified candidates for BMU and other tertiary institutions, and help the state to produce more doctors, nurses, pharmacists, radiologists, engineers and other professionals.

He acknowledged the  late former Governor of the State, DiepreyeAlamieyeseigha, who initiated the development of the former 500-bed hospital where the university is located, and his successor, Senator Seriake Dickson, who revived the project and transformed it into the medical university.

Diri further disclosed that the university’s campus at Sampou was nearing completion and would provide additional space for its expansion.

The governor, who also inspected facilities at the newly established Bayelsa Medical University Teaching Hospital, expressed confidence in the institution’s capacity to provide advanced diagnostic services.

“The BMU Teaching hospital is equipped to conduct x-rays and advanced scans, including Computed Tomography (CT) scans, which use x-ray technology and computer processing to produce detailed images of internal body structures.

“The availability of such facilities would improve access to specialised diagnostic services and reduce the need for Bayelsans to travel outside the state for certain medical procedures”, the Governor said.Diri also undertook a tour of facilities at the Bayelsa State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System.

Earlier, the BMU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ogoina, said his vision was to transform the school into a globally recognised institution for medical education, research and innovation, driven by technology and sustainability.

He explained that the ASPIRE Agenda was being implemented through institutional teams and initiatives designed to improve academic quality, accountability, innovation and student welfare.

Prof. Ogoina disclosed that the university had secured accreditation for nine academic programmes while its nursing science students recorded a 96 per cent pass rate in their professional examinations.

He added that BMU researchers had produced more than 70 peer-reviewed publications.

He also announced that the university’s College of Medicine had attained full membership of the Consortium of Medical Schools of Africa, while BMU was selected as one of 18 medical schools in Nigeria for a high-impact intervention programme.

On digital innovation, the Vice-Chancellor said the university had established a virtual reality, artificial intelligence and mixed-reality studio, expanded digital connectivity and introduced a “Talk to the VC” application to enable students and staff to communicate directly and confidentially with the university leadership.

He added that the institution was strengthening simulation-based learning through its clinical skills laboratory and pursuing plans to develop a smart campus, improve internet connectivity and increaseinternally generated revenue.

Ogoina further stated that BMU was developing a Centre of Excellence for Digital Health and Biomedical Innovation, alongside the Niger Delta Centre of Excellence for Health, Environment and Development to address regional health and environmental challenges.

“By 2029, the university aims to become a nationally respected and internationally recognised health sciences institution distinguished by excellence in education, research, innovation, leadership and societal impact”, the VC said.

He thanked the State Governor for his support to the institution, expressing confidence that the university would build on the foundation already laid to achieve its ambitions.

 

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,

Yenagoa

 

 

The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested a 50-years-old Pastor, identified as Ambrose Mark over allegations of sexual abuse on two minors, ages 13 and 14 in Yenagoa, the state capital.

The suspect, according to the State Police Command, until his apprehension, was pastoring a church called “Point Of Redemption Church International” located in the Amarata area of Yenagoa metropolis, while the the two alleged victims were reportedly members of the church’s choir.

Further information from the State Police Command stated that the 13-years-old minor is from Abia State, while the 14-year-old is from the Ogbia Local Government Area of the State.

The Tide also gathered that the case came to the limelight after the 14-years-old girl reportedly objected to the alleged sexual advances and informed her father, a Police officer attached to the State Police Command, who subsequently reported the matter to the appropriate Police division which led to the arrest of the Pastor.

Meanwhile, inside sources alleged that the pastor had previously engaged in inappropriate relationships with underage girls, claims which the Police is still trying to unravel.

The Tide further learnt that attempts to resolve the matter through financial settlement failed after the parents of the 13-year-old minor reportedly declined to accept such an arrangement.

The incident, has since attracted condemnation from variouswomen’s rights groups that have called for a thorough investigation and the protection of the alleged victims.

The Tide also gathered that the Bayelsa State Chapter of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), through its Chairperson, Dr.BomaTonyeMiebai, and the founder of the “Do Foundation”, Dr.DiseOgbiseGoddy-Harry, confirmed the incident and condemned the alleged sexual abuse of the minors.

 

 

AriweraIbibo-Howells,

Yenagoa