The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has reaffirmed his commitment to cancer prevention and care by collaborating with the National Task Force on Cervical Cancer Elimination.
This partnership aims to ensure a healthier future through sustained collaboration, improved access to cancer care, and strengthened public health interventions to prevent avoidable deaths and protect women in the FCT from the deadly disease.
The Mandate Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, disclosed this on Wednesday in a statement issued to newsmen to commemorate the 2025 World Cancer Day. She noted that February 4 is globally recognized for raising awareness, advocating for better healthcare access, and reducing the burden of cancer on families and communities.
She emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in ensuring equitable and compassionate cancer care.
ALSO READ: Speaker Abbas lauds Tinubu’s commitment to devolution of powers
According to the mandate secretary, this year’s theme, “United by Unique,” aligns with the FCT’s commitment to prioritizing people-centered care. She further outlined key initiatives, including free HPV vaccination for girls aged 9–14, Pap smear screenings in all FCT hospitals, and training of primary healthcare workers in cervical cancer detection using visual inspection methods. These holistic measures are designed to curb the prevalence of cervical cancer.
Dr. Fasawe described the recent visit of the National Task Force on Cervical Cancer Elimination, led by its chairman and former Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, as timely. She stated that the FCT would leverage the expertise and resources of the task force to enhance cervical cancer prevention, vaccination, screening, testing, and treatment efforts.
She further noted that the FCT was selected as the first state for engagement by the national task force due to its outstanding performance and commitment to various healthcare initiatives. This, she said, underscores the need for collective action to ensure the success of the advocacy campaign.
According to her, cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide due to late detection and lack of access to proper medical care. Global statistics revealed that in 2022, there were approximately 20 million new cancer cases and 9.7 million deaths globally, while Nigeria recorded an estimated 127,000 new cases and 79,000 deaths.
To address this challenge, the FCT has implemented several interventions, including free HPV vaccination for girls aged 9–14, Pap smear screenings in all FCT government hospitals, and training of primary healthcare workers from 62 basic healthcare facilities in cervical cancer detection using acetic acid and Lugol’s iodine. Other measures include colposcopy screening services at Wuse District Hospital every Thursday, chemotherapy management at Asokoro District Hospital, and statewide cancer prevention activities in collaboration with the City Cancer Foundation, including stakeholder mapping, needs assessments, and executive council engagements.
“Despite being preventable and treatable, late-stage diagnosis, limited treatment facilities, and lack of awareness continue to contribute to high mortality rates. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified cancer as the second leading cause of death globally, stressing the urgent need for enhanced prevention, early detection, and access to quality treatment,” she stated.
She emphasized the need to combat stigma, misinformation, and delayed treatment, all of which contribute to preventable cancer deaths.
Additionally, she revealed that the FCTA is working towards establishing fully equipped cancer centers to expand access to affordable cancer care, particularly in underserved areas.
