Gom Mirian
The meteoric rise of cancer cases in Nigeria has sounded alarm bells among health experts and policymakers, with approximately 79,000 Nigerians reported dead from the disease in the last year alone, with an additional 124,000 cases recorded.
In reaction to this, stakeholder agencies including the Federal Ministry of Health, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, the Clinton Health Access Initiative, the Medicaid Cancer Foundation and the City Cancer Challenge Foundation (C/Can), are stepping up to tackle the cancer epidemic and provide relief to the affected population.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Mr. Anthony Ogunleye, the spokesperson, Federal Capital Territory Administration, lamented that cancer accounts for the second-highest health burden in Africa, adding that the partners are pooling their expertise in a variety of areas related to cancer prevention, treatment, research and public health awareness.
It quoted the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Health, Engr, Funso Adebiyi, as saying: “This collective effort strengthens the Ministry’s commitment to fostering a healthier Nigeria by urgently reducing our country’s cancer incidence and mortality.
“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,” said Olusade Adesola, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory Administration.”
According to the statement, 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 in a three-year City Engagement Process.
Im his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer, C/Can, Isabel Mestres, acknowledged that progress has already been made as “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,” Mestres explained.
