2023: Nigeria Records 10,000 Cancer Cases – Medicaid  Foundation

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By; AMOS TAUNA, Kaduna

The First Lady of Kebbi State and founder, Medicaid Cancer Foundation, Zainab-Shinkafi Bagudu, says since the beginning of the year, Nigeria has recorded over 10,000 new cancer cases.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday at the launch of the book titled, ‘Footprints’, by First Ladies Against Cancer (FLAC), she explained that the book is a compilation of all FLAC activities and efforts made to  bridge the cancer care gaps in Nigeria.

She cited the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) GLOBOCAN cancer statistics, suggesting that there was the need to address the inequities around cancer by increasing awareness, building sustainable partnerships and creating innovative finance vehicles that could help reduce the deadly disease and cost of treatment.

Faisal Shuaib, the Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), assured that the country’s routine immunization schedule this year by the federal government would introduce Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. 

HPV, the second most common form of cancer diagnosed in women in Sub-Saharan Africa,the vaccine would help to prevent cervical cancer. 

Shuaib added that the agency was galvanising the sub-national levels to make hepatitis B vaccine widely available in Nigeria to protect Nigerians against liver cancer.

Osagie Ehanire, the Minister of Health, appealed to Nigerians to shun life style practices such as sedentary lifestyle to avoid the increases risk of cancer.

He assured that this year, the country would also implement malaria vaccine.

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