Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Jevaun Rhashan
The Nigerian Federal Government has launched a major nationwide cancer awareness and free screening initiative in Ebonyi State, with officials confirming that the programme is part of a broader effort to strengthen early detection, expand public health capacity, and reduce the burden of cancer across the country. The campaign – which began at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (AEFUTHA) – is expected to screen 1,000 people drawn primarily from five states in the South-East zone, as well as residents from surrounding areas who qualify for the service.
Health officials say the screening programme was inaugurated in conjunction with the observance of 2026 World Cancer Day, a global health awareness event that spotlights the social, economic, and health impacts of cancer and underscores the life-saving value of early detection and preventive care.
At the launch event, the Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (Nigeria), Daju Kachollom, officially flagged off the programme on behalf of the Coordinating Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate. Officials explained that the initiative was designed not only to provide screening services but also to build capacity among healthcare workers, enhance diagnostic capabilities, and strengthen treatment support systems.
The programme’s primary goal, health authorities said, is to promote awareness of cancer risk factors and encourage early diagnosis, particularly for the most common types of the disease in Nigeria, including breast, cervical, and prostate cancers. Experts at the event emphasised that early detection significantly increases the chances of successful treatment and reduces the overall financial burden on affected families.
The screening drive in Ebonyi forms part of a wider national campaign that is being implemented across Nigeria, with regional hubs selected to ensure broad geographic participation. Ebonyi State was chosen to represent the South-East zone due to its growing healthcare infrastructure and capacity, officials said — particularly the capabilities of AEFUTHA in delivering complex diagnostic services.
A key component of the launch involved elaborate educational outreach, including public enlightenment on preventive measures, vaccination campaigns, and dissemination of information to demystify cancer and encourage community participation in screening. Medical practitioners present highlighted that approximately one in five Nigerians is expected to develop some form of cancer in their lifetime, underscoring the urgency of expanding awareness and access to preventive care.
To maximise impact, federal health strategists said the campaign also includes training sessions for healthcare workers participating in the screening exercise. These sessions cover harmonised protocols on clinical evaluation, pain management, and chemo-safety designed to bolster professional competence and standardise care delivery across facilities nationwide.
Representatives of the federal government reiterated that the free screening is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the national health system under ongoing reforms. Officials stressed that the initiative aligns with efforts to expand health insurance coverage, improve diagnostic access, and modernise tertiary healthcare institutions so they can serve as centres of excellence for both Nigerians and patients from neighbouring countries.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary described the initiative as a strategic milestone in Nigeria’s health agenda, highlighting that the screening programme will continue beyond the initial festivity and will be scaled to other parts of the country throughout February. She noted that early detection has the potential to save lives, ease the financial burden on families, and enhance productivity by keeping more Nigerians healthy and economically active.
The hospital leadership at AE-FUTHA welcomed the programme as a transformative step that leverages the facility’s evolving role as a regional hub for medical services. Hospital officials portrayed the teaching hospital as progressively attracting patients from across Nigeria and neighbouring nations, and voiced optimism that the free screening campaign will reinforce its emerging reputation and expand its contribution to national health goals.
Officials from the Ebonyi State Government – including Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru’s representatives – reiterated the state’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery and facilitating partnerships that benefit residents. Local authorities said they have been mobilising community leaders and local councils to encourage wide participation in the screening exercise and to ensure that residents understand the importance of early consultation and follow-up care.
The state’s support for the programme also dovetails with broader investments in healthcare infrastructure, including hospital upgrades, equipment procurement, and welfare support for medical workers aimed at improving service delivery across both urban and rural areas. Officials said these parallel efforts are intended to create a more resilient health system that can better manage non-communicable diseases like cancer.
It is well established that cancer contributes significantly to Nigeria’s disease burden. While exact current figures vary, health professionals and hospital directors who participated in the event underscored that hundreds of thousands of cases are reported annually across the country, and mortality rates remain high due to late diagnosis and limited access to treatment. These trends have fuelled calls for increased investment in prevention, early detection, and treatment infrastructure.
Public health advocates also warn that social and economic barriers often deter many Nigerians from seeking medical evaluation until conditions have progressed to advanced stages. Experts believe that initiatives such as the federal screening programme, backed by public education and community engagement, are critical to overcoming these challenges and shifting health-seeking behaviour.
Government sources indicate that the free screening and awareness campaign will extend to additional states in phased deployments, forming part of a sustained effort to institutionalise regular cancer screening and clinical education nationwide. While exact schedules for future phases have not been fully disclosed, officials emphasised that plans are underway to adapt lessons learned from the Ebonyi launch to improve implementation in subsequent locations.
The nationwide outreach also signals Nigeria’s commitment to meeting broader global health objectives, including those advocated by international health bodies that prioritise early cancer detection as a cost-effective strategy to reduce mortality, ease healthcare costs, and enhance quality of life.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments