By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reaffirmed his dedication to combating cervical cancer by partnering with the National Task Force on Cervical Cancer Elimination.
The Minister stressed the urgency of collaboration while highlighting the critical need for strengthened cancer prevention and treatment efforts, citing 2022 statistics that recorded 20 million global cancer cases with 9.7 million deaths, including 127,000 cases and 79,000 deaths in Nigeria.
According to him, the collaboration aims to expand access to cancer care, strengthen public health initiatives, and reduce preventable deaths, particularly among women in the FCT.
Wike emphasised that FCT administration’s partnership with the National Task Force marks a significant step toward eliminating cervical cancer and improving healthcare outcomes for the residents.
The Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dolapo Fasawe, reaffirmed the Minister’s unwavering commitment to residents’ well-being during the 2025 World Cancer Day commemoration.
While emphasizing that February 4 serves as a global platform to raise awareness, promote better healthcare access, and ease the cancer burden on individuals and communities, Fasawe noted that this year’s theme, ‘United by Unique’, aligns with the FCT administration’s focus on people-centred healthcare.
Fasawe, in a statement on Wednesday, outlined several key initiatives, including free HPV vaccination for girls aged 9-14, pap smear screenings in all FCT hospitals, and training primary healthcare workers in cervical cancer detection using visual inspection methods.
The Mandate Secretary underscored the urgency of tackling cancer, noting that late detection and inadequate access to medical care remain major challenges.
To address these challenges, the FCT administration has implemented several additional measures, including colposcopy screening services at Wuse District Hospital every Thursday, chemotherapy management at Asokoro District Hospital, and statewide cancer prevention efforts in collaboration with the City Cancer Foundation, including stakeholder mapping and needs assessments.
She also revealed that plans are underway to establish fully equipped cancer centers in the FCT to ensure more people, especially in underserved areas, can access affordable care
She described the recent visit by the National Task Force, led by former Health Minister Prof. Isaac Adewole, as a strategic opportunity to enhance cancer prevention efforts in the FCT.
She noted that the FCT was chosen as the first State for engagement due to its strong track record in healthcare interventions.
Despite being a preventable and treatable disease, according to her, cancer continues to claim lives due to delayed diagnosis, limited treatment facilities, and widespread misinformation.
She, however, emphasized the need to combat stigma and promote early treatment to reduce mortality rates.