By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Federal Ministry of Health, and the Federal Capital Development Administration, FCDA in conjunction with other stakeholders have joined forces in a multilateral commitment to tackle the prevalence of Cancer in Nigeria.
This is as Nigeria bears the second-highest burden of cancer cases in Africa, with approximately 124, 000 new cases of cancer each year and about 79,000 deaths.
Together with stakeholders like Clinton Health Access Initiative and the Medicaid Cancer Foundation, and Cancer Center Challenge Foundation (C/Can) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, to address the acute cancer burden in Abuja, Nigeria.
The multistakeholder commitment, by national and subnational governments, international health organizations and civil society, represents a key milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts against cancer.
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.”
“Given Nigeria’s sizable population within the region, Abuja’s partnership with C/Can carry immense potential for broad-scale impact on our health systems and the health of our population.”
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, Adesola said.
CEO for C/Can, Isabel Mestres, disclosed that progress has already been made.
Isabel said, “Throughout 2022, with the support of C/Can, Abuja has undertaken a robust due diligence process to understudy the local cancer landscape which will be followed by the launch of a three-year City Engagement Process.”
Accordingly, the C/Can City Engagement Process will be led by a local governance body, the City Executive Committee, with the support of a dedicated city manager, to engage stakeholders in identifying needs, and implementing locally created cancer care solutions, she explained.
CEO of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, noted that partnership with C/ Can Abuja’ s cancer center can achieve the much-needed transformation.
Executive Vice President of Clinton Health Access Initiative of Nigeria, Owens Wiwa , in a like manner said that partnership with C/Can would bring about progress in cancer care for Abuja residents and Nigerians.
