The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, and his team on Wednesday began free cancer screening for the first 1,000 individuals at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki.
The Minister, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Daju Kachollom, said the event was a nationwide exercise to mark the 2026 World Cancer Day, adding that the disease accounts for nearly 10,000 deaths annually in Nigeria.
He disclosed the ministry’s plan to offer treatment to patients diagnosed during the screening, stressing that early detection saves lives, reduces financial hardship for families, and improves national productivity.
“Under the present administration, we are strengthening healthcare services, expanding the health insurance scheme, improving access to diagnosis, enhancing local pharmaceutical production, and modernising tertiary institutions,” he said.
The Minister added that the flag-off would also mark the beginning of capacity building for healthcare workers on treatment protocols, chemo-safety, and pain management. He commended partnering agencies and the Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Francis Nwifuru, for providing a conducive environment for the initiative.
The Chief Medical Director of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Robinson Onoh, said the event was organised to commemorate World Cancer Day. He added that the hospital had been transformed into a hub for medical tourism, serving residents of Ebonyi, other parts of the country, and some foreign nationals.
He stated that the programme was aimed at creating nationwide awareness and promoting early detection of the three most common cancers — breast, cervical, and prostate — alongside capacity building.
According to him, healthcare providers under the National Comprehensive Cancer Network would be trained using harmonised guidelines on pain management.
Onoh added that the programme also includes primary prevention strategies such as health education, awareness creation, public enlightenment, vaccination, and screening, stressing that approximately one in five men or women develops cancer in a lifetime.
“It is worth noting that national regional centres were selected to celebrate World Cancer Day. Ebonyi State was chosen to represent the South-East zone, while AEFUTHA was selected to provide free cancer screening for 1,000 individuals,” he said.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his Renewed Hope Agenda and other interventions in the health sector, as well as the state governor for creating an enabling environment for health programmes.
Governor Francis Nwifuru, represented by his deputy, Mrs Patricia Obila, commended the Federal Government through the ministry for choosing Ebonyi and assured continued support for health initiatives.
He added that the state government had continued to provide quality healthcare services, including the revitalisation of 13 general hospitals, improved welfare for health personnel, and other interventions.
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