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From Wilson Okereke, Afikpo
No fewer than 1,000 people in the South East are benefiting from the free cancer screening programme of the Federal Ministry of Health.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Mohammed Ali Pate, who made the disclosure in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, said that the disease causes the deaths of approximately 10 million people across the globe, annually.
He was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Daju Kachollom, at the commencement of the free cancer screening programme at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (AEFUTHA).
“This initiative forms part of Nigeria’s commemoration of World Cancer Day, 2026, and underscores the federal government’s firm commitment to reducing the burden of cancer and strengthening non-communicable disease control nationwide,” the minister said.
He said cancer remains a major contributor to non-communicable disease mortality in Nigeria with breast, cervical, and prostate cancers leading in the incidence, adding that despite the fact that cervical cancer is preventable and treatable when detected early, it continues to claim lives due to late detection.
He said: “Childhood cancer survival in low and middle income countries remains below 30% compared to over 80% in high income settings, these disparities highlight the urgent need for awareness, early detection and system strengthening.”
He further disclosed the ministry’s plan to offer treatments to the detected patients after the screening, stressing that early detection saves lives, reduces catastrophic health expenditures for families and improves national productivity.
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“Under the present administration, we are strengthening the healthcare system, expanding health insurance coverage, improving diagnostic capacity, enhancing local pharmaceutical production, and modernising tertiary institutions,” he said.
The minister said the flag-off marked the beginning of capacity building for healthcare workers on treatment protocols, chemotherapy safety, and pain management. He applauded Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, and other partnering agencies for providing a conducive environment for health institutions to thrive.
The host and Chief Medical Director of AEFUTHA, Professor Robinson Onoh, noted that the health institution had been transformed into a hub of medical tourism currently serving Ebonyi people, other parts of the nation and some foreigners.
He further stated that the programme was geared at creating nationwide awareness and promoting early detection of three most common cancers, comprising breast, cervix and prostate in conjunction with capacity building where healthcare providers in National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) would be trained with harmonised guidelines on pain management.
The CMD added that the flag-off contained primary prevention strategies as health education, awareness creation, public enlightenment, vaccination, and screening, stressing that approximately one in five men or women develops cancer in a lifetime.
He extolled President Bola Tinubu over the Renewed Hope Agenda and other interventions in the health sector, and Governor Nwifuru for creating an enabling environment for other numerous programmes.
Ebonyi deputy governor, Mrs. Patricia Obila, who represented the governor, commended the federal government for choosing the state for the exercise. She was assured of providing all the needed support at all times.
She added that the state government had not relented in providing residents of the state with quality healthcare services, ranging from revitalising 13 general hospitals, improved wellbeing of the health personnel and other interventions.
