In commemoration of 2024 World Cancer Day, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has partnered with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Foundation to provide free cancer screening to Nigerians.
The two-day exercise, which began on Wednesday at the Federal Medical Centre in Abuja, is targeted at the early detection of breast and cervical cancers in women and prostate cancer in men.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, said at the opening that there were many benefits from early detection.
Pate, who was represented by the Director of Hospital Services, Dr. Salaudeen Jimoh, said when cancers are detected early, outcomes are better.”
“Also, for those who will be found positive for any of the cancers that will be screened for, the Cancer Health Fund (CHF) will provide free treatment for them; therefore, there is no need to panic,” he said.
He clarified that the fund consisted of funds set aside by the Federal Government to treat the three cancers, adding that the funds were for the treatment of all Nigerians who had any of the cancers.
The minister commended the foundation for sponsoring the screening, adding that the initiative would go a long way in the fight to control cancer in Nigeria.
Pate also announced the donation of a mobile cancer screening van to the hospital by the ministry, with all complementary equipment attached, to aid in the early detection of the three cancers.
On her part, the Managing Director of the NNPCL Foundation, Mrs. Emmanuella Arukwe, said cancer is a very deadly disease, and knowing one’s status is very important as that would aid in getting treatment early.
She said that the foundation, which was the social initiative arm of the company, decided to embark on the project because cancer is one of the scourges the nation is suffering from.
“It is our pilot project, and we will do other things.
“A lot of people have already done their tests, and we are expecting at least 100 people to do the tests, and the good thing is that the ministry has the funds to treat anyone who tests positive for any of the cancers.
“We know there is a healthcare gap in Nigeria, and we are doing this as one of our projects to help bridge the gap,” she added.
The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Saad Ahmed, said screening is one of the things that would help identify those at risk.
He also said that the hospital had been treating cancer patients for a long time and had successfully treated quite a number of cancer patients, thereby giving it the needed experience to handle it.
He, however, called on all cancer advocates and stakeholders to put in more effort to end the cancer scourge in Nigeria.
Speaking, one of the beneficiaries, Madam Lilian Duke, said she decided to screen for cervical cancer to see if she was pre-disposed to having the disease.
“If you are shy, you may die of a sickness that you would have had the opportunity to get rid of.
“When such opportunities as this come up, people should be bold enough to come out to know their status.
“The free treatment from the CHF too is very good because ordinarily, if you have something of that nature, you may not be able to treat it because it is quite expensive,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Mr. David Adejoh, who was there to screen for prostate cancer, said it was better to get it done as often as the opportunity presented itself.
He said: “Considering that the disease does not give notice until it has reached an advanced stage, early detection is important.
“Opportunities like this do not present themselves every day, and the cost of running the tests is quite high, so it is better to do it to save costs.
“The CHF is one of the most beautiful news I have heard this year because I am aware that once you reach the age of 40, you are supposed to be checking your prostate.
“There are so many men out there who do not have the means to treat it, and they resolve to seek spirituality or herbs, which may not help them eventually, so the free treatment is commendable.”
Persecondnews reports that World Cancer Day, led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), is an international day marked on February 4 to raise awareness of cancer and encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment.
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