FCTA Working To Improve Cancer Care

By: Doris Jonah & Chukwunonso Chukwurah

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has reaffirmed its commitment to improve cancer care amongst patients in Federal Capital Territory.

Accordingly, this will be achieved through high level collaboration with stakeholders to bridge the gap existing in the area of cancer care.

The Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, who made this disclosure during an inauguration meeting of City Executive Committee (CEC) an arm of the City Cancer Challenge initiative in Abuja, said that the measure is aimed at strengthening efforts to fight against the disease.

The Mandate Secretary said that the inauguration of CEC is “significant as it marks the beginning of an
exciting and important journey for all,
as it will unite every efforts to embark on
this laudable task of leading the charge
of transforming cancer care in Abuja”.

Cancer, according to Fasawe is
“responsible for 79,000 deaths with approximately 124,000 new cases in Nigeria every year.

She stated that “each of these statistics accounting for the second highest cancer burden in Africa with breast cancer in women being one leading cause of death in women globally including FCT”.

The Mandate Secretary said that collaborating with City Cancer Challenge Foundation (C/Can) will bridge the gap in the fight against cancer in the Territory.

Moreso, the Permanent Secretary, FCT- HSES, Dr. Baba-Gana Adam, assured the CEC of the Secretariat’s support to generate every needed data to be used and implement results of findings so as to close the existing gaps in FCT, which is the sole reason for keying into the initiative.

He said that the initiative would enable FCT make informed decision and plan a better approach in cancer care.

Speaking at the occasion, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) C/Can Isabel Mestre, expressed excitement towards Nigeria’s effort to join a growing network of C/Can cities committed to improving cancer care globally. The initiative Mestre noted seeks to close the gap that exists between advocacy on cancer and implementation of the advocacy results to better inform people about the disease.