The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has declared that no woman should pass away from Cervical Cancer, emphasizing that the disease is both preventable and treatable when detected early.
Salako made this statement during the flag off of a cervical cancer screening programme for the South East held in Imo State. The initiative was organized by the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
He described every death from cervical cancer as a preventable tragedy and called on communities, religious institutions, and stakeholders to promote awareness and regular screening. According to the minister, Nigeria has vaccinated about 15 million women against the Human Papilloma Virus over the past three years, a figure he said surpasses the combined efforts recorded across Africa within the same period.
Salako explained that Imo State was selected for the programme due to the commitment of the First Lady, Chioma Uzodimma, and the state government’s investment in healthcare. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to eliminate cervical cancer nationwide.
In his remarks, the Director General of NICRAT, Usman Malami Aliyu, noted that cervical cancer continues to place a heavy burden on Nigerian women, largely due to late detection caused by limited awareness and access to healthcare services.
Aliyu stated that the agency aims to screen at least 10000 women in Imo State while strengthening the healthcare system to support routine screenings. He added that the initiative aligns with the global strategy of the World Health Organization to eliminate cervical cancer.
Also speaking, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, called for increased awareness campaigns, urging women to take advantage of the free screening and vaccination services available.
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