FCTA Partners National Task Force On Cervical Cancer Elimination

By: Badaru Yakasai & Samuel Musa

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) will strengthen its collaboration with the National Task Force on Cervical Cancer Elimination in Nigeria to ensure women derive topmost benefits from their activities.

Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, gave this assurance, while receiving members of the National Task Force on Cervical Cancer Elimination in Nigeria when the team paid her office an advocacy, Friday.

Her words: “I want to reaffirm the commitment of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) under the leadership of Nyesom Wike, to collaborate with your Task Force
for the protection all women in the FCT from cervical cancer.”

Fasawe urged FCT technocrats to leverage the expertise and resources offered by the Task Force in cervical cancer prevention, vaccination, screening, testing, and treatment.

She appreciated the efforts and support of the Task Force for ensuring that these interventions are provided free of charge across the 8,000 square kilometers of the Territory.

Providing an update on FCT’s activities related to cervical cancer, Fasawe revealed that a total of 132 women had been screened within two months following the commissioning of a colposcopy machine at Wuse General Hospital.

She, thus, encouraged the Task Force to support the FCT with sectoral projects, additional screening machines, and technical assistance to enhance access to screening, early detection, and treatment.

Speaking during the visit, the former Minister of Health and Chairman of the Task Force, Prof. Isaac Adewole stated that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMOH&SW) inaugurated the National Task Force on Cervical Cancer Elimination on September 15, 2024.

According to him, the Task Force was established to provide expert guidance, mobilize resources, and lead comprehensive efforts to significantly reduce the burden of cervical cancer in Nigeria.

“The FCT was chosen as the first state for engagement due to its outstanding performance and commitment to various health initiatives,” said.

Adewole highlighted the alarming statistics of cervical cancer in Nigeria; stating that every hour, a Nigerian woman dies from the disease, which means that between 20 to 24 women lose their lives daily to a condition that is both preventable and treatable.

He noted that approximately 12,000 to 13,000 women develop cervical cancer annually, with about 8,000 succumbing to the disease.

The Chairman emphasized that the Cervical Cancer Programme is a population-based intervention that will have a significant impact on both primary and secondary healthcare facilities.

He, therefore, called for collective action to ensure the success of the programme.