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From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
The Federal Government has called on Nigerians to adopt a healthy lifestyle as a critical step for prevention of cancer and other non-communicable diseases.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, made the call while inaugurating mini electric ambulances and a Physiotherapy Centre at the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital (DUFUTH), Uburu, Ebonyi State.
Kachollom said the initiatives formed part of activities for the nationwide cancer awareness campaign and free screening programme, emphasising that prevention remained key in tackling the disease burden.
She described cancer as one of the non-communicable diseases that had continued to affect many Nigerians, stressing the need for improved public orientation on preventive measures.
“Why are we just depending on curing, curing, and curative measures? Why are we not talking about preventive measures?
“Why don’t we teach the citizens how to live healthy lives so that they spend less time in the hospitals? We spend so much on out-of-pocket expenses. But since the renewed hope agenda of Mr. President, since he came on board, the health sector has changed,” Kacholom said.
The permanent secretary reiterated the ministry’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery through improved governance, leadership, quality health outcomes, and unlocking the health sector value chain, including pharmaceutical production.
“And that is why I talked about prevention. I talked about not just talking about curative. The third pillar had to do with unlocking the value chain. I’m sure you’ve all heard us talk about unlocking the value chain, which is setting up industries for pharmaceuticals, bringing in APIs. And it was based on that that Mr. President in 2024 approved an executive order for two years where you could bring in your APIs. You don’t pay for anything.
“I think it’s ending this year, 2026. So we’re setting up industries not just for pharmaceuticals, bed nets, and others, because Nigeria is a great country. Why do we keep waiting for handouts for people to give to us? Why can’t we do it ourselves” she implored.
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Earlier, the Chief Medical Director of DUFUTH, Dr MaryRose Agwu, said the hospital had, in the last three years, conducted several medical outreaches within and outside its host communities.
Agwu said the programmes included screenings for cervical cancer, blood sugar level checks, eye examinations, routine dental checks, blood pressure monitoring, de-worming exercises, nutritional talks, and distribution of drugs and other medical items.
“We have deployed our professionals to the field to oversee and coordinate these medical initiatives. We have also screened for diseases such as hypertension, malaria, tuberculosis, and others that, if discovered early and treated, could be cured.
“Notably, DUFUTH has recently activated four rural primary healthcare centres across the state, handed over to us by the state government. Under the first phase of our medical extension programme in this regard, we targeted and provided free medical outreaches to at least 8,000 vulnerable individuals, including children, the elderly, indigent persons, and pregnant women” She said.
Agwu added that the centres would serve as medical outposts and complementary training facilities for medical students.
“The four activated centres are at Umuka-Okposi (activated August 5, 2025), Ugwulangwu (activated on 12th August) both in Ohaozara; Ngbo Community Health facility in Ohaukwu (August 19) and Nwofe in Ebyia DC, Izzi local government area on 26th of August,” Agwu explained.
She, however, identified challenges affecting effective healthcare delivery at the institution, including inadequate water supply, unstable public power supply, and manpower shortages, calling for government intervention.
“The weight of our budgetary allocation is so minimal to the volume of structural and super structural facilities required to keep the Teaching Hospital afloat and sustain the existing standard as a centre of medical excellence.
“We plead that DUFUTH passes as one of the receivers of the numerous benefits that flow from government. Looking back at these three years of success, we are energised to continue making a positive impact on the health and well-being of Nigerians,” she added.
