Bukola Afeni
The Nigerian Cancer Society(NCS) has called for increased funding for cancer intervention in the country.
The President of NCS Dr Omonisi Abidemi made the disclosure at a seminar for health reporters on enhancing HPV Vaccine awareness and uptake in Nigeria.
The group noted that the N150 million being allocated for cancer intervention is inadequate.
“We were shocked to see that only N150 million was allocated for cancer intervention.
The minimum we expect is N1 billion. If the government is serious about tackling cancer, they need to make it a priority.”
He said the Nigerian Cancer Society is taking steps to address the funding gap by establishing an independent cancer fund. “The fund will be managed by a board of trustees, chaired by Dr. Gafer Olawole, a renowned expert in healthcare financing.
“”Our goal is to raise N10 billion for the cancer fund.We will be reaching out to the private sector, philanthropists, and the general public to support this initiative.”
The Nigerian Cancer Society believes that with adequate funding, the body will make a significant impact in the fight against cancer in Nigeria.
“We are urging the government to increase funding for cancer intervention and to make it a priority.
A public health consultant Dr Uzoma Ugochukwu also emphasized the need for increased awareness on cervical cancer, stressing that every girl and mother deserves to know about the risks and prevention methods.
“”Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria.
“It’s crucial that we utilize various platforms to raise awareness about cervical cancer in our community and society.”
The consultant commended the efforts of the Federal Ministry in preventing cervical cancer but noted that more needs to be done.
“Thanks to the Federal Ministry of Health efforts, we are making progress, but we must continue to work together to ensure that every individual has access to education and prevention methods.”
To achieve this goal, Dr Uzoma called on government agencies, healthcare providers, and community leaders to join forces in promoting awareness and education on cervical cancer.
“”We need to reach every individual who plays a vital role in awareness and education.Together, we can make a difference and reduce the burden of cervical cancer in Nigeria.”
The consultant’s call to action comes as Nigeria continues to grapple with the challenges of cervical cancer.
According to him, the World Health Organization (WHO), says cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Nigeria, with over 14,000 new cases diagnosed annually.
The former President of the Nigerian Cancer Society, Dr Alhassan Adamu emphasized the crucial role of media practitioners in reducing the spread of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in Nigeria.
According to Dr. Adamu, HPV is a significant public health concern in Nigeria, and media practitioners have a vital role to play in raising awareness about the virus and its prevention.
“When people are exposed to information about HPV and the HPV vaccine, we can reduce the number of people with HPV-related diseases.
The Nigerian Cancer Society has carried out interventions in several states, including Kano, Kaduna, and Lagos, to educate communities about HPV and the importance of vaccination.
Dr. Adamu called on media practitioners to partner with the Society to spread awareness about HPV and the HPV vaccine, emphasizing the need for collective action to curb the spread of the virus.
“”We hope to do more interventions in the coming months, and we count on the support of media practitioners to help us reach more people.
“By working together, Nigeria can reduce the burden of HPV-related diseases and promote a healthier future for all citizens.”
