2019 Year in Review

The work continues! BHIWC continues to reach out educate, screen and support.

BHIWC Hosts Presentation

(September) BHIWC collaborated with Joint Natuinal Association of Persons with Disabilities to host a cervical cancer presentation/HIV education session in Gombe State North Eastern Part of Nigeria. “…As this marks our first presentation with the disabled, I find it very interested and it is encouraging because they are ready to learn, and to avoid anything that will cause cervical cancer or HIV/AIDS, for the cervical cancer they said most them never heard about it but after the lectures, they can say one or two things about it.” — Maryam Bukar

120 disabled men and women in attendance.
250 Cervical cancer pamphlets and 110 HIV pamphlets given out.
50 screened for HIV free of charge.

BHIWC Aids Vulnerable Children and Orphans at Annual Drive

(August-September) BHIWC is proud to share the success of yet another school supplies drive. Through contributions from Columbia Town Center Rotary Club, our major annual donor, and other supporters who believe in what we do, we were able host our 6th annual school supplies drive. We gave out school supplies to 270 orphaned and needy children, including 130 backpacks, in Jos and Gombe States in Nigeria. We were also able to provide 3rd year tuition and school supplies scholarship for Favour (a vulnerable girl child).

Thank you to all those who made this possible.

Cervical Cancer screening for 100 in Kaltungo and
50 in Ashaka, Gombe State, Nigeria

(January) Thanks to the collaboration between Better Health Initiative for Women and Children and Rotary Clubs of Columbia Town Center Rotary Club, MD, USA and Kaltungo, Gombe State, Nigeria, 150 women received free cervical cancer screening.

One year later, BHIWC returns to Gombe State with Rotary International, during the 2018-2019 cervical cancer campaign. On January 17, 2019, nurses from Gombe State Teaching Hospital arrived at local Kaltungo General Hospital to perform 100 free cervical cancer screening tests. On January 21, 2019, nurses from Gombe State Teaching Hospital and BHIWC ambassadors worked together to ensure that free cervical cancer screenings were conducted for 50 women in Ashaka Funakeye.

Follow-up Results of the Screening in Kaltungo and Ashaka Funakeye

Once all screening results were in, 98.6 percent of the women were negative which proved screening can help to save lives or uncover the need for treatment. Two women were found to be positive during the screening, which meant further testing was required. Funds were provided for follow up laboratory tests, biopsies and colposcopies for both women. One woman was found to have stage 2 cervical cancer and one was found to have precancerous cervical cells. Collaboration with Columbia Town Center Rotary Club (CTCRC) helped provide payment for the hysterectomy needed to treat the confirmed cervical cancer case and the LEEP procedure, performed to remove precancerous cells. BHIWC supported after procedure care for the patient and their families.

Spread the Word!

(January) We were also blessed with the ability to complete another cervical cancer campaign by collaborating with 3 Rotary clubs and 7620 Rotary District. Cervical cancer sensitization in Kaltungo began in October 2018. Information was dispersed throughout the community. Cervical cancer pamphlets were distributed to 1,000 women, over 600 women in Kaltungo and Ashaka Funakeye attended the cervical cancer presentation hosted by Barrister Maryam Bukar, Project Manager BHIWC and Rotarian. The presentations explained how women get cervical cancer, how to prevent it and treatment options.

Ambassadors

Certificates were awarded to 5 cervical cancer prevention ambassadors, including Maryam. They are responsible for continuously engaging the communities of Ashaka Funakeye and Kaltungo, keeping them informed about preventing cervical cancer.

Our Founder on the Ground

(January) The president of BHIWC (our founder), Dr. Showunmi and a representative from Columbia Town Center Rotary Club, Mr. Alvin, attended the screening along with members of the Kaltungo Rotary Club. Dr. Harsana Showunmi was there to oversee the operations. Despite some common travel snafus she commented, “I had a fulfilling time in Nigeria. Got to meet with some amazing people; cervical cancer prevention ambassadors, nurses, doctors and Rotarians, all working together to prevent and detect cervical cancer. Glad to be a part of such a noble cause…

Thank you to our boots on the ground, Maryam, Rita, or ambassadors (Sunday, Abdul-Hamid, Semina, Suweiba and Maryam), nurses, doctors and my supporters; BHIWC board members, Rotary clubs- Columbia Town Center, Columbia Patuxent and Kaltungo, my friends, family and anonymous supporters who donated their time and money to the organization. Thank you so much”