More than 500 women from Buffer Zone in Talinding and surrounding communities recently benefited from a breast and cervical cancer screening exercise organised by FaBB Foundation in partnership with Africell Gambia Ltd, the Ministry of Health and Team First Lady.
The exercise was part of the partners’ collective commitment to promoting preventive healthcare, raising public awareness about cancer and encouraging early detection to improve health outcomes for women across The Gambia.
The initiative offered essential screening services closer to women in the community while providing a platform for health education, personal testimonies from cancer survivors and discussions on the importance of prioritising women’s health.
The strong turnout of more than 500 women demonstrated the relevance of community-based health interventions and the importance of making screening services accessible to the population.
The objective of the exercise aimed at increasing access to breast and cervical cancer screening services, promote early detection and encourage women to seek timely medical attention, raise awareness of cancer prevention, risk factors and the importance of regular health checks, encourage women to take an active role in monitoring their health and well-being, use the experiences of cancer survivors to inspire, educate and encourage other women to seek screening, strengthen cooperation between the private sector, government and philanthropic organisations in promoting public health.
The exercise provided participants with an opportunity to access screening services and receive information on the importance of early detection and appropriate medical follow-up.
The participation of women from neighbouring communities reflected the need for continued outreach programmes that bring essential healthcare services closer to people, particularly women who may face barriers to accessing routine screening.
The exercise was attended by Her Excellency Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, First Lady of The Gambia, and Dr Yusupha Touray, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health and many other senior government officials, who both highlighted the importance of cancer screening and the wider benefits of such initiatives for the country’s healthcare system.
The First Lady emphasised the importance of women being vigilant about their bodies and making their personal health a priority.
She encouraged women to take responsibility for their well-being, reminding them that they must sometimes be “selfish” in taking care of themselves so that they can remain healthy and continue caring for their families.
Her message underscored the importance of self-care, early detection and the need for women to pay attention to changes in their bodies rather than neglecting their health because of family and other responsibilities.
The First Lady’s remarks reinforced the message that caring for oneself is not an act of selfishness in the negative sense, but an essential part of maintaining the health and strength needed to support loved ones and contribute to society.
Dr Yusupha Touray highlighted the importance and impact of community-based screening exercises in supporting the Ministry of Health’s efforts to improve access to preventive healthcare.
FaBB Foundation played a central role in the initiative as part of its commitment to improving community health and supporting interventions that promote early detection, preventive care and access to essential medical services.
The exercise reflected the Foundation’s broader mission of working with partners to address community needs and improve the well-being of Gambians.
By Musa Sise
