By Ocan Daniel
Lira City, Uganda – More than 500 mothers from 35 Parishes in Lira Diocese have received life-changing cervical cancer screening services during the Annual Women’s Guild conference held at St. Peter’s Anai Sub Parish.
The screenings, conducted from January 9, 2025, Thursday evening to today Saturday, January 11, 2025, provided critical health evaluations, with 50 women being referred to Mulago National Referral Hospital for further management.
The initiative was spearheaded by Sr. Dr. Rose Lilly Acan, a Gynecologist and Obstetrics specialist at Lira Regional Referral Hospital. Leading a team of qualified professionals, Dr. Acan noted the significance of the event in addressing the healthcare needs of women in the region.
The screening commenced on Thursday at 4 PM, during which over 200 mothers were examined for cervical cancer and related conditions. Today, an additional 300 women underwent screening, bringing the total to more than 500.
Dr. Acan highlighted that several cases required urgent attention, leading to referrals to Lira Regional Referral Hospital and Mulago National Referral Hospital. She expressed concern, however, over the limited participation of husbands in accompanying their wives for the screenings, emphasizing the importance of family involvement in health matters.
The screening initiative was organized in collaboration with the Sister’s Health Initiative, which provided financial support for the nursing staff involved.
Rev. Sr. Winnie Mweni, the senior Nursing Officer at Lira Regional Referral Hospital and coordinator of the screening exercise, lauded the partnership. She explained that women diagnosed with non-cancerous conditions were treated on-site, while those with suspected cancer were referred for further care.
Mrs. Anne Odongo Lumumba, the Women’s Guild coordinator for Lira Diocese, expressed her gratitude to the Sisters and healthcare professionals for their dedication. She revealed that 1,200 women attended the conference, with representation from most parishes in the diocese except for Alanyi, Orum, and Loro. Bala Parish was recognized as the best performing parish, followed by Otwal Parish.
Mrs. Lumumba stated that the decision to include cervical cancer screening arose from a realization that many women neglect regular health check-ups due to fear or misconceptions about the procedures. She noted that the education and counseling provided during the event had significantly changed participants’ perspectives, enabling them to embrace the screenings and gain valuable insights into their health.
The women’s conference, held under the theme “A Virtuous Woman Who is Strong in Her Faith” derived from Proverbs 31:25, concluded today in the afternoon with a Mass celebrated by Monsignor Innocent Valente Opio, the Vicar General of Lira Diocese and Administrator Erute ST. Philips Sub Parish. The conference emphasized spiritual growth and community health, creating a holistic approach to empowering women.
Father Valente Opio expressed his gratitude and admiration for the Catholic Women’s Guild, commending the women for their unwavering dedication to the Catholic faith despite the many sacrifices and hardships they endure. In his sermon, he focused on the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, urging the women to emulate Mary’s virtues of humility, faith, and devotion.
Father Opio also addressed concerns about the youth, lamenting that many have turned away from serving God and are instead indulging in worldly distractions such as attending nightclubs, consuming alcohol, and using substances like marijuana. He strongly advised the youth to refrain from such activities and realign their lives with God’s teachings.
In addition, he urged women to exercise wisdom and discernment when participating in politics, reminding them to prioritize their faith and values in all aspects of their involvement.
Participants like Imat Sofia Okanyire from Otwal Parish expressed profound gratitude for the initiative, noting that the event provided unexpected yet invaluable benefits. She suggested future conferences include similar teachings for men, underscoring the relevance of health education for entire families.
The event’s success underscores the transformative power of integrating healthcare services with community and faith-based gatherings. It also highlights the critical role of partnerships between healthcare professionals, religious institutions, and community leaders in addressing pressing health issues.
Original Story_Lira Dioces News Agency………………………………………………………
