Cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer affecting Nigerian women, with 14,089 new cases and 8,240 deaths recorded annually, according to the National Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination (NTF-CCE).
Chairman of the taskforce, Prof. Isaac Folorunsho Adewole, described the disease as a major public health challenge, noting that the country’s 60 per cent case-fatality rate is dangerously high despite the disease being preventable and treatable.
To address the burden, the taskforce has rolled out a two-volume strategic plan and launched a national screening guideline now being disseminated across all 36 states as part of this year’s Cervical Cancer Elimination Day activities.
Adewole also highlighted the Partnership to Eliminate Cervical Cancer in Nigeria (PECCiN), which targets vaccinating eight million girls and screening eight million women annually.
Nigeria has made significant progress in HPV vaccination, with over 15 million girls vaccinated in two years—three times the entire continent’s coverage in 2022.
Adewole noted that the country’s age-standardised incidence rate currently stands at 29 cases per 100,000 women.
In solidarity with global awareness efforts, the National Assembly will be illuminated in teal.
In related health interventions, Colexa Biosensor Ltd announced the commencement of the Federal Government’s nationwide diabetes screening and capacity-building programme, beginning in the North-Central zone.
Government health officials at primary healthcare centres are receiving training ahead of a mass screening campaign targeting five million Nigerians across the country’s 774 LGAs.
Over 77,000 units of the locally manufactured OnPoint Blood Glucose Monitoring System will be distributed to diagnosed individuals, while each PHC will receive diagnostic devices to support diabetes management.
National Desk Officer for Diabetes, Dr Alayo Sopekan, warned that diabetes remains one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing health burdens, underscoring the need for early detection and continuous monitoring.