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Worried by the rising cancer burden in the country, the Federal Capital Territory Administration recently entered an agreement with a network of health organisations, to broaden the cancer care landscape in the FCT.
This is as the Federal Government through the Ministry of Health and FCTA, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Clinton Health Access Initiative, Medicaid Cancer Foundation, and City Cancer Challenge Foundation, C/Can, to address the challenge.
The agreement, which was signed in Abuja, makes the territory part of a growing network of C/Can cities committed to improving cancer care agreement, signalling the government response to tackle acute cancer burden.
A press statement from the City Cancer Challenge on Thursday, stated that 124,000 new cancer cases is recorded in Nigeria each year, accounting for the second highest cancer burden in Africa.
According to the statement, Abuja is the 14th city and the fourth African city to join the growing C/Can network alongside Kumasi (Ghana), Kigali (Rwanda) and Nairobi (Kenya).
Speaking on the significance of the agreement, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, Engr, Funso Adebiyi, said, “This collective effort strengthens the Ministry’s commitment to fostering a healthier Nigeria by urgently reducing our country’s cancer incidence and mortality.”
Similarly, FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola, noted that, “Given Nigeria’s sizable population within the region, Abuja’s partnership with C/Can carries immense potential for broad-scale impact on our health systems and the health of our population.”
Also speaking, CEO for C/Can, Isabel Mestres, who stated that progress has already been made added that, “Throughout 2022, with the support of C/Can, Abuja has undertaken a robust due diligence process.
“This has provided a comprehensive understanding of the local cancer care landscape, paving the way for the next steps, including the launch of a three-year City Engagement Process.”
The CEO of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation, Dr. Zainab Bagudu said, “Alone, we can do a lot. However, as partners, we can strengthen Abuja’s cancer ecosystem. I am certain that this partnership with C/Can will achieve the much-needed transformation.”
Furthermore, Executive Vice President of the Clinton Health Access Initiative Nigeria, Owens Wiwa noted: “Through C/Can, we have an unparalleled opportunity to ensure that progress made in cancer care at a city level will benefit the most people in both Abuja and the rest of Nigeria.
“Abuja’s successful application to join C/Can was supported by the FCT Administration and Ministry of Health of Nigeria and led by a task force of leading organisations, including civil society. C/Can is set to launch a new call for city applications later in 2023.
“To ensure the success of the initiative, the city of Abuja has, over the last two years, conducted assessments to inform the development of a strategy to implement the project, culminating effectively in a three-year City Engagement Process.
“Guided by the principle that cities are crucial to driving meaningful change through local engagement and global partnerships, the C/Can initiative supports cities to develop data-driven, locally relevant and sustainable cancer care solutions.”
C/Can supports cities around the world to improve access to equitable, quality cancer care. Since its launch in 2017 by the Union for International Cancer Control, UICC, C/Can has developed a new model of addressing access to cancer care that, for the first time, leverages the city as a key enabler in a health systems response to cancer.
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