The Nasarawa State Government has concluded says it has established a cancer registry and desk office to combat the growing cancer menace in the state.
Dr. John Damina, Permanent Secretary (PS), Ministry of Health, announced at an event to commemorate the 2025 World-Cancer-day on Tuesday in Lafia.
According to the Permanent Secretary, the initiative was aimed at strengthening cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment services with a view to
improving cancer care and management.
“The state government has recognised the need for a comprehensive approach to tackle cancer, and the establishment of a cancer registry and desk is a crucial step towards achieving this goal.
“The registry will serve as a database for cancer cases in the state, providing valuable insights for healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers.
“We have created a Cancer Desk within the Ministry of Health to serve as a central coordination point to link our tertiary hospitals, general hospitals, and private health facilities for better cancer diagnosis, treatment, and patient support.
“The desk will act as a central point for cancer-related activities, providing support services for cancer patients, and coordinating awareness campaigns to educate the public about cancer prevention and early detection,” Damina added.
He further highlighted that the initiative was part of the efforts to improve healthcare delivery by the Gov. Abdullahi Sule-led administration.
“The government has been working tirelessly to strengthen the state’s healthcare system, and the establishment of a cancer registry and desk is a significant milestone in this journey.
“We understand the high cost of cancer treatment and with the support of partners such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), Nigerian Cancer Society, and Civil Society Organisations, among others to ensure that no one fights cancer alone,” he added.
The PS added that cancer does not discriminate as It affects the young and old, the rich and poor, men and women alike, hence the need for regular checkups to tackle it at an early stage.
He further said that the cancer causes more than 72,000 deaths each year, with an estimated 102,000 new cases annually in the country.
On his part, Dr Peter Attah, Director of Public Health at the ministry said that Breast and cervical cancers are the most common among women, while prostate cancer is the most common among men.
The Director further said that the fight against cancer is not for the government alone, but requires the collective efforts of individuals, families, healthcare providers, civil society organizations, and the media.
Attah encouraged all women to take advantage of early screening for breast and cervical cancer and avail themselves of screening as early detection saves lives.
The Director added that the screening and vaccination for cervical cancer is for female children in all public health facilities in the state.
On his, Dr Ukama Chi-Kadibia, Vice President of the Nigerian Cancer Society, urged the public to take preventive measures against cancer to curtail its spread.
He explained that cervical cancers can be eliminated because the causes are known, and there is a vaccine that would prevent one from being infected with the disease.
He also said that cervical cancer takes about ten years from infection to become a full-blown cancer and urged parents to take their female children for vaccination to guard them from getting infected with the disease. (www.krestnews.com).