Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2030 through expanded HPV vaccination, improved screening services, strengthened treatment capacity, and increased domestic investment in cancer prevention and control. This was contained in a statement signed by Ado Bako, Assistant Director, Information, and Public Relations.
The Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako made this known while delivering the opening remarks at the International Webinar on Science and Policy Discourse titled “Accelerating Cervical Cancer Elimination towards 2030 Agenda: Myth or Reality?” organised by the Nigerian Academy of Medicine (NAMed) in collaboration with the National Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination (NTF-CCE).
Addressing scientists, policymakers, clinicians and global health experts from across the world, the Minister said Federal Government has placed cervical cancer elimination at the centre of the national health agenda in line with the World Health Organization’s 90-70-90 targets for HPV vaccination, screening and treatment. describing the disease as one of the most preventable yet devastating cancers affecting Nigerian women, noting that the country records about 13,676 new cases annually, with most diagnosed at advanced stages.
Dr. Salako said that under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and with the support of the Renewed Hope Initiative of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Nigeria has adopted an integrated, multi-pillar strategy to accelerate cervical cancer elimination.
Highlighting progress in HPV vaccination, the Minister disclosed that the nationwide single-dose HPV immunisation programme, introduced in 2023 and expanded across the country, has reached over 17 million girls aged 9 to 14 years. He said the government’s priority is to consolidate the gains by expanding last-mile delivery through schools and community outreach, particularly for out-of-school girls, while driving national vaccination coverage beyond 80 percent.
The Minister acknowledged that screening and treatment remain the weakest components of the country’s cervical cancer response, revealing that government is therefore focused on expanding HPV-based screening at the primary healthcare level, strengthening referral systems for the management of precancerous lesions and cancer, and enhancing the capacity of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment to serve as regional centres for diagnosis and treatment across the country’s geopolitical zones.
Dr. Salako further disclosed that the National Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination is coordinating nationwide efforts across government and relevant stakeholders to ensure Nigeria achieves the 2030 elimination target. He added that investments are also being made to strengthen health information systems for effective monitoring and evaluation of progress.
According to the Minister, these efforts are being supported through strategic investments by the Renewed Hope Initiative, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Global Financing Facility, UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other development partners. He assured that the Federal Government remains committed to progressively increasing domestic funding for cancer prevention and control to ensure long-term sustainability.
Dr. Salako also highlighted Nigeria’s growing international leadership in cervical cancer elimination, including its co-leadership in the resolution establishing World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day and its recognition as one of the countries providing valuable lessons for other nations across the Commonwealth and Africa.
Declaring the International Webinar officially open, the Minister wished participants fruitful deliberations and commended the Nigerian Academy of Medicine and the National Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination for z the webinar and urged all stakeholders to translate the discussions into concrete actions that will make cervical cancer elimination a reality for every Nigerian woman and girl.
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