The World Health Organization (WHO) has advocated for the adoption of the Global Cancer Initiatives to support member states in their efforts towards cancer prevention, treatment and control.
The WHO Country Representative, Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo while making the call on Tuesday in Abuja at the 2025 World Cancer Day commemoration, explained that adoption of Global Cancer Initiatives such as Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC), Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative (CCEI) and the Global Breast Cancer Initiative will help in efforts towards cancer prevention, treatment and control.
While speaking further, Kazadi expressed delight in commemoration of World Cancer Day’s theme “United by Unique” and a sub-theme “United in our goals, Unique in our needs.”
He also commended the Minister of State for Health and Social, National Cancer Control Programme and the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment for the leadership and coordination of all cancer activities in the country.
“The theme of this year focuses on a people-centered approach to cancer care. This approach aims to put the needs of individuals, families, and communities at the center of health system.
“We should not focus just on treating the disease, but we adopt perspectives and experiences of individuals, carers, families and communities as participants in, and beneficiaries of health systems that respond to their needs and preferences in holistic ways.
“I am delighted that Nigeria already adopted these initiatives and prioritized cancer and NCDs in general in Health Sector Renewal Initiative through Sector Wide Approach (SWAp).
“WHO remains commitment to support the implementation of raising public awareness, prevention, treatment and control of cancer in Nigeria through SWAp,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Director General of the Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment(NICRAT), Dr. Usman Malami Aliyu, in his remarks, said NICRAT has made significant strides in implementing the National Strategic Cancer Control Plan 2023 to 2027, particularly in the training of healthcare workers across all six geopolitical zones in basic cancer prevention services, equipping them with the necessary skills to enhance early detection and treatment.
“Recognising the emotional and psychological toll of cancer, we have provided specialized training for healthcare workers in onco-psychology, ensuring that patients receive holistic psycho-social care.
“In a groundbreaking move, we are introducing preventive oncology clinical services in the country, starting with North Central, and South-West in 2024, paving the way for the routinization of cancer screening in Nigeria.
“We have strengthened cancer registration and data collection through the establishment and digitalization of the National Cancer Registry, a key step towards improving cancer surveillance and research.
“NICRAT is building research capacity across selected institutions in the six geopolitical zones, pioneering collaborative research in cancer genomics. This initiative is set to map genetic mutations of common cancers in Nigeria, laying a solid foundation for precision oncology care, not only in Nigeria but for the entire black race.
“As we mark World Cancer Day 2025, NICRAT is poised to consolidate these achievements and embark on new initiatives,” he said.
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