The Federal Government has invested over N1 trillion in cancer control in the past year Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Abubakar Atiku Bagudu said.
Bagudu disclosed this at the 12th edition of the Walk Away Cancer campaign held on Saturday in Abuja where survivors health professionals policymakers advocates and residents called for greater awareness early detection and stronger support for people living with cancer.
The 5.4-kilometre awareness walk organised by the Medicaid Cancer Foundation (MCF) was held under the theme ‘One Walk One Fight – Walk Away Cancer’ as part of activities marking the conclusion of Breast Cancer Awareness Month also known as Pink October.
The minister said the Federal Government had committed N350 billion to establishing cancer centres across the country while over N300 billion had been invested in cancer detection equipment alongside additional allocations to the health sector.
He added that further resources had been made available to state and local governments to strengthen cancer prevention early detection and treatment.
Bagudu however urged Nigerians to hold state and local governments accountable to ensure that funds allocated for cancer control were judiciously utilised.
‘I want to commend the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) under the leadership of Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu for its relentless and long-standing cancer awareness campaign.
‘Cancer control remains one of the priority areas of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the health sector’ he said.
Also speaking the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory Dr. Maria Mahmoud stressed the importance of early screening particularly among women and young girls to improve the chances of successful treatment.
She commended the organisers for sustaining the awareness campaign expressing optimism that increased public sensitisation would help reduce the prevalence of cervical cancer.
‘We appreciate this sensitisation initiative for Nigerians. With this kind of massive awareness campaign the high prevalence of cervical cancer will go down’ she said.
Similarly the Minister of State for Education Prof. Suwaiba Ahmed said cancer does not discriminate based on age social status or influence noting that patients need collective support throughout their treatment journey.
‘No one fights cancer alone. To all cancer patients and survivors we see your fight and honour your courage. We shall continue to stand with you in solidarity’ she said.
In her remarks the President of the Union for International Cancer Control Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu said the organisation alongside other stakeholders had sustained the fight against cancer for more than 12 years.
She called for increased government funding and stronger partnerships to improve cancer prevention diagnosis and treatment in Nigeria.
‘We want to see a lot more financial appropriation for the fight against cancer. A lot has been done this year and we want to thank President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for investing heavily in the health sector’ she said.
The President of the Cancer Society of Nigeria Prof. Abidemi Omonisi also urged the Federal Government civil society organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to support cancer patients and survivors describing such assistance as essential to national development.
He commended Bagudu for her advocacy and financial contributions to support patients noting that the high cost of cancer treatment remained a major challenge for many Nigerians.
A cancer survivor Mr Farooq Oreagba who said he had lived with a cancer diagnosis for more than 12 years attributed his survival to early screening and detection.
He urged Nigerians not to regard a cancer diagnosis as an automatic death sentence emphasising the importance of regular medical checks.
‘Being diagnosed with cancer is not a death sentence. All I ask of everyone here is to get regular screenings because early detection saves lives. My cancer was detected even when I was not ill. I still have a few more years to go and I am not ready to quit’ he said.
The awareness walk began with an aerobics session at Monoliza Park Area 11 Garki before participants proceeded along designated routes within the Federal Capital Territory.
A major attraction was the Health Village where participants accessed free medical services including clinical breast examinations blood pressure and blood sugar checks hepatitis testing and eye screenings.
Participants also received coupons for discounted digital mammograms at Medicaid facilities while young girls were offered Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations to protect against the virus responsible for most cervical cancer cases.
The event also featured survivor testimonies goodwill messages celebrity performances and an after-walk concert.
The 12th edition was preceded by activities on Friday October 30 including a solidarity visit to cancer patients at the National Hospital Abuja as well as the Pink October Pop-up sales event and fashion show at Monoliza Park.
The fashion show featured brands including PriscyLuxe owned by actress Priscilla Ojo; Ciar; Roza; Amida; Shanty’s; and Ksei Legacy Wear. The organisers said 20 per cent of sales profits would go towards supporting cancer patients.
Proceeds from the sale of branded Walk Away Cancer kits will also support the foundation’s patient assistance programmes including financial assistance and treatment navigation for people living with cancer.
The organisers noted that late diagnosis and the high cost of treatment remained major barriers to cancer survival in Nigeria underscoring the need for sustained awareness accessible screening services and increased investment in cancer care.