By Zayamu Dan-Maryam
In an effort to ensure that all communities in Nigeria are aware about cancer, the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), has entered into partnership with the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) to expand cancer prevention and early detection services through inclusive, community-driven approaches.
To achieve this, they organized a one- day Stakeholder Engagement Meeting for the NICRAT– AACR Awareness, Prevention and Treatment (APT) Campaign Project, in Abuja, weekend.
Speaking while declaring the meeting open, the Director General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, revealed that the Institute has taken steps to expand cancer prevention and early detection services through what he described as inclusive, community-driven approaches.
The project, according to him, is being implemented by NICRAT in collaboration with the AACR with the aim of strengthening cancer prevention and early detection interventions through multi-level community engagement and health system integration
Represented by the Director, Cancer Prevention and Control, Dr. Usman Waziri, the NICRAT Director General explained that “the APT Campaign Project seeks to strengthen Nigeria’s cancer control efforts by enhancing public awareness, improving access to screening, and integrating prevention services into existing primary health care systems.
“The project is designed to leverage evidence-based strategies and local expertise to build sustainable cancer prevention models across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and, ultimately, nationwide.”
He reiterated that: “As we gather here today, our goal is to harmonize efforts to ensure the success of the APT Campaign. This collective process embodies the very essence of integrated cancer control: shared responsibility, mutual accountability, and evidence-led action.”
Prof. Malami, therefore, applauded the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare under the leadership of the two ministers “for their continued guidance and policy direction that make initiatives like this possible.”
He also commended the AACR- a global authority in advancing cancer science and innovation for their unwavering partnership and commitment to strengthening cancer prevention and research capacity in Nigeria.
Speaking, the Executive Secretary, FCT Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Rukkaiya Wammako, expressed concern that cancer awareness is very low in local communities, hence, the need to engage in massive sensitization in local communities in the country.
She insisted that there is the need to constantly engage the local communities in order to ensure attitudinal change, stressing that “denial is worrisome.”
Dr. Wammako emphasized the need to communicate with the communities in their local languages for them to understand and support all government interventions and initiatives.
While saying that cancer is curable when detected and treated early, Dr. Wammako called on Nigerians, especially, residents of the FCT to accept HPV vaccine in order to secure the future of their young girls.
She praised NICRAT for birthing the initiative, noting that FCTA will continue to work with the Institute in order to improve the health status of residents of the capital city, especially, in the area of cancer prevention and treatment.
