The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration has reiterated its dedication to cancer prevention and care, with a strong focus on equitable healthcare access.
Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, the Mandate Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat, highlighted this commitment in a statement marking the 2025 World Cancer Day. She emphasized the FCT Administration’s (FCTA) collaboration with the National Task Force on Cervical Cancer Elimination, aimed at reducing cancer-related deaths and enhancing healthcare delivery.
“In line with this year’s World Cancer Day theme, United by Unique, the FCTA is prioritizing people-centered cancer care,” Fasawe said.
Key initiatives include free HPV vaccinations for girls aged 9–14, pap smear screenings in all FCT hospitals, and specialized training for primary healthcare workers to improve early detection of cervical cancer. Additionally, Wuse District Hospital now offers colposcopy screening services, while chemotherapy management is available at Asokoro District Hospital.
Fasawe noted that the recent visit by the National Task Force on Cervical Cancer Elimination, led by former Minister of Health Prof. Isaac Adewole, would further bolster cancer prevention and treatment efforts in the FCT.
With Nigeria recording an estimated 127,000 new cancer cases and 79,000 related deaths in 2022, the FCTA is taking proactive steps to combat the disease, including expanding access to fully equipped cancer centers.
“Despite being preventable and treatable, late diagnosis and limited treatment facilities continue to drive high mortality rates. We must combat stigma, misinformation, and delayed treatment to save lives,” Fasawe urged.
The FCTA remains committed to strengthening public health interventions, enhancing early detection, and ensuring that no one in the FCT is left behind in the fight against cancer.
