Follow Us on Google
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu has through her pet project, Renewed Hope Initiative has donated N1 billion to the National Cancer Fund to fight the scourge of Cervical Cancer in the call.
This announcement came in commemoration of the 2025 World Health Day, with the theme “Heathy Beginnings; Hopeful Future”.
She made the disclosure while receiving a delegation of the National Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination led by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako.
The First Lady pointed out that since no one chooses an ailment for themselves, there is no need to be ashamed to seek help.
“I am in support of what you are doing. We are on track especially with the approach you have adopted, test, screen, vaccinate and treatment. A healthy nation is a wealthy nation.”
She noted that the fight against cancer can be won if the patients present early and seek medical intervention.
“The theme for World Health Day this year, Healthy Beginnings; Hopeful future, I believe is so apt for what we are doing here today. I believe you said most of my work is 70% in health. A healthy nation is a wealthy nation. No matter what wealth you have as a nation, if your population or majority of your population is sick, you are just the poorest as far as I am concerned”.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Salako noted with appreciation the effect of the First Lady lending her voice to the introduction of the HPV vaccine into the routine immunisation program of the country.
He said this has translated into the Ministry being able to immunise 12 million girls between ages 9 – 13 in the first 9 months of its introduction.
Salako said the Ministry hopes to immunise 6 million girls this year.
Chairman of the Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination and former Minister of Health, Issac Adewole expressed the opinion that the First Lady demonstrated uncommon political will by supporting and flagging off the introduction of the HPV vaccine into the routine immunisation program of the country.
He said the 8 by 8 target (immunising 8 million girls every year) will be achieved thereby eliminating Cervical Cancer by 2030 if the First Lady lends her voice and also join in the campaign which will be going through 12 states this year and another 12 states next year.
The Country Representative of World Health Organisation (WHO) Walter Mulombo appealed to the First Lady to lead the campaign noting that every child and woman has a right to live.
