By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria
The Federal Government has flagged off free cancer screening for the first 1,000 individuals at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital (AEFUTHA), Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, as part of a nationwide exercise to mark the 2026 World Cancer Day.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, who was represented at the event on Wednesday by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Daju Kachollom, disclosed that cancer accounts for nearly 10,000 deaths annually in Nigeria and stressed the importance of early detection in saving lives.
The Minister said: “Under the present administration, we are strengthening healthcare services, expanding the health insurance scheme, improving access to diagnosis, enhancing local pharmaceutical production, and modernizing tertiary institutions.”
He added that the flag-off would also mark the beginning of capacity building for healthcare workers on treatment protocols, chemo-safety, and pain management, while commending partnering agencies and Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru for providing a conducive environment for the initiative.
The Chief Medical Director of AEFUTHA, Prof. Robinson Onoh, explained that Ebonyi was specifically selected to represent the South-East zone for the World Cancer Day celebrations.
“National regional centers were selected to celebrate World Cancer Day. Ebonyi State was chosen to represent the South-East zone, while AEFUTHA was selected to provide free cancer screening for 1,000 individuals,” he said.
Onoh noted that the programme focuses on the three most common cancers, breast, cervical, and prostate, and includes primary prevention strategies such as health education, awareness creation, vaccination, and screening.
He also disclosed that healthcare providers under the National Comprehensive Cancer Network would be trained using harmonised guidelines on pain management, warning that approximately one in five men or women develops cancer in a lifetime.
Governor Nwifuru, represented by his deputy, Mrs Patricia Obila, commended the Federal Government for selecting Ebonyi and assured continued state support for health initiatives. He noted that the state government has continued to invest in healthcare, including the revitalization of 13 general hospitals and improved welfare for
health personnel.
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