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  • Why Africa risks missing cervical cancer elimination goal

    Why Africa risks missing cervical cancer elimination goal

    Africa may fall short of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health threat unless countries expand Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programmes to cover older women who were excluded when national immunisation efforts began.

    The warning was issued by MSD South Africa and Africa Health Business, which said millions of women across the continent remain unprotected despite the availability of effective vaccines.

    In an analysis distributed by the African Media Agency (AMA), the organisations noted that cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women globally, despite being largely preventable through vaccination and early detection.

    According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than 94 per cent of cervical cancer deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, with sub-Saharan Africa carrying the heaviest burden. 

    Nearly one in four women in the region is estimated to be living with cervical HPV infection, significantly increasing their lifetime risk of developing the disease.

    MSD South Africa and Africa Health Business said available HPV vaccines can prevent almost 90 per cent of cervical cancer cases, yet millions of African women remain unvaccinated. 

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    They observed that while current programmes prioritising girls aged nine to 14 are critical, they leave large numbers of older women without protection.

    The WHO’s global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer, launched in 2018, is anchored on vaccination, screening and treatment, with a target of vaccinating 90 per cent of girls by age 15. 

    Although several African countries have introduced school-based HPV vaccination programmes, coverage across the continent remains uneven.

    Rwanda was cited as a leading example, having introduced a national HPV vaccination programme for adolescent girls in 2011 and achieved over 90 per cent coverage. However, the organisations stressed that even in high-performing countries, women who were beyond the eligible age at the time of introduction remain at risk.

    The analysis also highlighted the disproportionate burden borne by women living with HIV, noting that weakened immune systems increase vulnerability to persistent HPV infection and faster disease progression. 

    Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for the highest prevalence of HIV among women globally, underscoring the urgency of integrated prevention efforts.

    MSD South Africa and Africa Health Business said evidence shows that sexually active women above 15 years still benefit from HPV vaccination, particularly when combined with regular cervical screening. 

    They called for catch-up vaccination programmes for older adolescents and adult women, especially those living with HIV.

    Despite recent gains, only 29 of Africa’s 54 countries have introduced national HPV vaccination programmes, with regional coverage estimated at about 52 per cent, far below the WHO’s 90 per cent target. 

    The organisations urged governments to strengthen routine immunisation systems, secure sustainable domestic financing and expand access through existing reproductive health and HIV care services.

    They also noted that industry and development partners have increased support. Between 2021 and 2025, MSD supplied more than 115 million HPV vaccine doses to low- and middle-income countries through collaboration with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

    In Nigeria, women who are above the age for free government vaccination can only access HPV vaccines through private health facilities. At some non-governmental clinics, the Gardasil 4 vaccine costs about ₦40,000 per dose, with three doses required over six months for full protection.

    The organisations concluded that eliminating cervical cancer in Africa is achievable, but warned that without deliberate policy action to protect women who were previously excluded from vaccination programmes, the continent risks missing the global elimination goal.

  • Marital status doesn’t reduce HPV, cervical cancer risk — study

    Marital status doesn’t reduce HPV, cervical cancer risk — study

    • Experts call for universal cervical screening

    The central conclusion of a new study from the Federal University Teaching Hospital (FUTH), Lafia, Nasarawa State, is both simple and unsettling: marital status does not significantly influence a woman’s risk of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection or cervical dysplasia. In a country where reproductive health narratives are often shaped by social assumptions rather than scientific evidence, this finding strikes at the heart of how cervical cancer prevention has been framed in Nigeria.

    Presented by Mr Odeh Agabi, a Biomedical Laboratory Scientist, the study dismantles the quiet but persistent belief that marriage offers a layer of biological or moral protection against HPV-related diseases. Instead, it confirms what medical science has long established globally but Nigeria has struggled to operationalise in policy: HPV exposure is widespread, indiscriminate, and shaped far more by behavioural and biological factors than by marital labels.

    The hospital-based, cross-sectional study screened 75 women aged 18 and above in Lafia using Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA), Pap smear cytology, and HPV DNA testing. The results showed that 10.7 per cent of participants had cervical dysplasia, while 12 per cent tested positive for HPV infection. Married women recorded a slightly higher prevalence of cervical dysplasia at 11.5 per cent, compared to 7.7 per cent among single women. HPV infection, on the other hand, was marginally higher among single women at 14.3 per cent, compared to 11.5 per cent among married participants. However, statistical analysis demonstrated that these variations were not significant, meaning marital status could not reliably predict risk. This finding is critical. It means that screening strategies or public health messaging that implicitly prioritise unmarried women—or assume married women are safer—are not only misguided but potentially dangerous.

    The Lafia study instead identified well-documented risk factors as the real drivers of infection and disease progression. These include early sexual debut, multiple sexual partners, previous sexually transmitted infections, high parity, polygamous marital arrangements, and HIV positivity. In practical terms, this means that a married woman in a polygamous household, or one whose partner has had prior or concurrent sexual exposure, may face equal or greater risk than a single woman. HPV’s highly transmissible nature and long asymptomatic phase further complicate assumptions about “safe” categories.

    Significantly, 37.5 per cent of women diagnosed with cervical dysplasia also tested positive for high-risk HPV strains, reinforcing the established causal pathway between persistent HPV infection and cervical cancer. This link is not speculative; it is one of the most clearly defined relationships in cancer epidemiology worldwide.

    If the study’s conclusion about marital status challenges social assumptions, its findings on screening expose a far deeper systemic failure. According to Agabi, 86.7 per cent of participants had never undergone cervical cancer screening before the study. This statistic alone reframes the entire conversation. The problem is not whether married or single women are more at risk. The problem is that most Nigerian women are not being screened at all.

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    Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer. It develops slowly, is detectable at pre-cancerous stages, and can be stopped through routine screening and early treatment. Yet Nigeria remains among the countries with the highest cervical cancer burden globally. Public health experts note that many women only present at health facilities when symptoms become severe—often years after dysplasia has progressed to invasive cancer. At that stage, treatment becomes complex, expensive, and frequently ineffective.

    The Lafia findings are not an outlier. Studies from Southern Nigeria and other regions have reported similar patterns, with HPV prevalence cutting across marital categories. While some studies show slightly higher rates among single, widowed, or divorced women, researchers consistently conclude that the differences do not alter the overall risk landscape. What varies more dramatically is access to information, screening services, and healthcare infrastructure. Rural and semi-urban populations, such as those represented in the Lafia study, are often the least served, despite facing equal or greater exposure risks. Medical experts argue that Nigeria’s cervical cancer strategy has suffered from fragmented implementation. Screening services are often hospital-based rather than community-driven, vaccination coverage remains limited, and public awareness campaigns are sporadic.

    The study’s main conclusion has direct implications for national health policy. If marital status is not a predictor of risk, then prevention strategies must be universal, not selective. Screening programmes should target all sexually active women, regardless of age, marital status, or perceived moral standing. Agabi called for expanded HPV-based screening, wider vaccination rollout, and sustained public education. HPV DNA testing, now considered the global gold standard, offers higher sensitivity than Pap smears and can be integrated into routine primary healthcare services. Experts also stress the need to normalise cervical screening as a standard health practice, rather than a test associated with suspicion or stigma. Without this cultural shift, uptake will remain low, regardless of policy intentions.

    Beyond infrastructure and funding, the Lafia study highlights the role of social norms in shaping health outcomes. In many Nigerian communities, discussions around sexual and reproductive health remain sensitive. Married women may fear that seeking screening could raise questions about fidelity, while single women may avoid services due to stigma. Health advocates argue that men must be engaged more actively in prevention efforts. HPV transmission is not solely a women’s issue, yet prevention messaging often places the burden entirely on women, without addressing partner behaviour or shared responsibility.

    The most sobering takeaway from the Lafia study is not what it reveals about HPV biology, but what it exposes about Nigeria’s public health priorities. Cervical cancer continues to claim lives not because it is mysterious or untreatable, but because prevention remains uneven, underfunded, and shaped by outdated assumptions. By clearly demonstrating that marital status does not determine risk, the study removes one more excuse for inaction. The evidence is clear, consistent, and compelling: HPV exposure is widespread, screening is rare, and prevention efforts must be inclusive and aggressive. If policymakers heed the study’s core conclusion, it could mark a turning point. If they do not, Nigeria will continue to record avoidable deaths from a disease the world already knows how to stop.

  • ‘Ending cervical cancer starts with gender-neutral HPV vaccination’

    ‘Ending cervical cancer starts with gender-neutral HPV vaccination’

    With an estimated 12,000 new cervical cancer cases and over 8,000 deaths annually, Nigeria bears the highest burden of cervical cancer in Africa—and ranks seventh globally. It’s a devastating but preventable disease that continues to claim the lives of thousands of women, often in their most productive years. At the recent African Health Business (AHB) conference in Abuja, public health leaders, private sector innovators and policymakers gathered to confront this growing crisis—and to explore a more inclusive, science-driven response. A leading voice at the forum was Zweli Bashman, Managing Director for MSD in Sub-Saharan Africa, one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies and a major global supplier of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which protects against the virus responsible for nearly all cases of cervical cancer.

    With more than 14 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Bashman also holds influential regional leadership roles: President of the Innovative Pharmaceutical Association of South Africa (IPASA), Deputy Chair of the Pharmaceutical Task Group (PTG), and Vice-Chair of the U.S.–South Africa Business Council. In this exclusive interview with The Nation’s DELE ANOFI, Bashman makes a compelling case for expanding HPV vaccination in Nigeria beyond adolescent girls to include boys and adult women—a shift experts say is essential to breaking the chain of transmission and ultimately eliminating cervical cancer. He speaks on why HPV is not just a women’s issue, how gender-neutral vaccination strategies are succeeding in other African countries, and the critical role of the private sector in closing access and policy gaps. Bashman also shares MSD’s wider strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa, including game-changing innovations in oncology, maternal health, vaccine affordability, and the future of localized manufacturing and regulatory harmonization across the continent. Excerpts:

    Expanding HPV vaccination beyond girls in Nigeria

    The Africa Business Health Conference, which held in Abuja, was quite an insightful meeting. These gatherings are not meant for us to present our perspective, but to create a platform where local stakeholders from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), private healthcare providers, and frontline professionals can engage, share ideas, and shape the path forward. The central discussion was around cervical cancer, a major scourge across Sub-Saharan Africa. Nigeria, in particular, records about 12,000 new cases and over 8,000 deaths annually, making it the highest in Africa and seventh globally. It was important to not only reflect on the burden but to also recognise Nigeria’s impressive strides, including vaccinating over 14 million girls against HPV since 2023. That’s phenomenal progress.

    Scientifically, that boys are also HPV carriers is no longer up for debate. I myself have been vaccinated. The key point is to move beyond the gendered conversation. Vaccination is about protection, and everyone deserves it. Take Cameroon, for instance—they introduced gender-neutral vaccination and saw a boost in vaccine coverage rates because eligibility was no longer divided by gender. Reports suggest that after adopting a single-dose, gender-neutral HPV schedule in 2023, Cameroon’s vaccine uptake in girls tripled, while boys—previously excluded—reached approximately 26 % coverage. We believe Nigeria can benefit similarly. We need to expand the conversation beyond adolescent girls. Women in their 20s, 30s, and 40s are still at risk. Boys, too, are carriers of the HPV virus and must be included to break the chain of transmission. We should also consider introducing more advanced HPV vaccines—such as the nonavalent types used in Western countries—which protect against nine strains of the virus and offer broader protection against HPV-related cancers. These steps are critical as we aim to escalate progress over the next few years.

    It is correct that Nigeria vaccinates only girls for HPV, but most countries currently prioritise girls aged 9–14 due to the direct link between HPV and cervical cancer. However, resource limitations often inform this decision. Nigeria receives HPV vaccines through its partnership with Gavi, which currently does not support vaccination for boys. That’s why we advocate for an all-of-society approach. While the government focuses on girls, the private sector can mobilise to support vaccination for boys and adult women. It shouldn’t fall on the government alone.

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    MSD’s role in driving innovation and access to healthcare

    As a leading HPV vaccine manufacturer, MSD is doing a lot to make the vaccine more affordable and accessible, especially in developing countries. We provide innovative health solutions through our prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and other care across more than 140 countries. Our commitment to expanding healthcare access is reflected in our global policies, programs, and partnerships. Through our long-standing partnership with UNICEF and Gavi, we supply HPV vaccines to over 30 African countries at deeply discounted prices. Last year alone, we reached approximately 17 million girls across the continent. This partnership sets the gold standard for access-driven healthcare.

    Innovation is at our core. One of our flagship products is an immuno-oncology drug, a top-selling pharmaceutical globally, which recently received regulatory approval in Nigeria. We plan to launch it later this year. This immunotherapy—known internationally under the name Keytruda® (pembrolizumab)—has earned approval in multiple high-income and emerging markets for treating aggressive cancers, including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and renal cell carcinoma. We also have a promising pipeline with over 60 assets spanning oncology, immunology, cardiovascular diseases, and ophthalmology. Additionally, our RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccine—recently approved by U.S. FDA—is being fast-tracked for rollout across Africa. RSV is a major cause of pediatric deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa, so this is an important intervention. My cluster covers 47 countries, including South Africa. We’re rolling out in Kenya, Ghana, French-speaking West Africa, and Southern Africa as part of a pan-continental approach.

    It is a valid concern that some worry that Western medicines may not align with African genomes. However, the HPV vaccine rollout in Nigeria was based on independent decisions made by Nigerian healthcare experts, who reviewed all available options and selected what best suited the country. We also have a strong clinical trial programme emphasising diversity. Africa’s genetic diversity is unmatched, and we’re expanding our clinical footprint beyond South Africa to Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, and Nigeria to ensure our products are tested on relevant populations.

    The perception or belief of conspiracy theories linking the HPV vaccine to infertility is incorrect because the vaccine is absolutely safe—I’d say 100 % safe. These vaccines have gone through rigorous pre-registration clinical trials and regulatory scrutiny globally and locally, including by NAFDAC. There is no evidence that HPV vaccines cause infertility. We understand that vaccine phobia and misinformation are widespread, especially with social media. That’s why it’s crucial for us, policymakers, regulators, and the media to educate the public and dispel myths. While the HPV vaccination programme may be relatively new in Nigeria, similar programmes have been running across the world for more than a decade. In Africa, Rwanda has had one of the oldest HPV programmes, and the country still records a healthy birth rate. So, if the proof is in the pudding, I’d say we’ve seen no evidence, on the continent or globally, that supports those concerns. That says it all.

    One of the biggest historical barriers was the duplication of regulatory efforts across 54 countries, each requiring separate submissions and lengthy timelines. But with the introduction of the African Medicines Agency (AMA), we’re seeing transformative change. We recently participated in a pilot where we submitted two products and secured registration in nearly 20 countries within 12 months through just one submission. That kind of efficiency is groundbreaking and directly improves access to high-quality medicines and vaccines across the continent.

    On affordability concerns and how MSD is addressing all of that to ensure more equitable access to your products, I will say our approach is twofold. First, through meaningful partnerships with Gavi, UNICEF, and governments, we provide products at deeply discounted prices in more than 30 African countries. Second, we believe in purposeful collaboration with governments, insurers, and patients to develop affordability models tailored to local health ecosystems. We’ve seen this work well in Botswana. The government proactively engaged with us on providing oncology treatments through the public sector. That collaboration made Botswana the first African country where our oncology product is publicly available. We want to replicate that model elsewhere.

    Our footprint in Nigeria is growing rapidly. Through our partnership with UNICEF and Gavi, we’ve helped vaccinate 14 million Nigerian girls against HPV. That alone is a game-changer for public health. Beyond that, we have a long-standing medicine-donation program—the Mectizan Donation Programme—providing free treatment to eliminate river blindness. We’ve also established a dedicated team under our “MSD for Mothers” initiative, with a representative based in Lagos managing maternal health projects across Nigeria. What excites me most is what’s ahead: we recently received local product registrations, allowing us to commercialize more innovations. We’re finalising a partnership with a local commercial distributor, hiring local personnel, and investing in infrastructure to ensure sustainable access to our medicines across Nigeria and the wider West Africa region.

    A future without cervical cancer: Partnerships, progress and public trust

    From HPV vaccines to oncology innovations, these new medicines bring tremendous impact to Nigeria’s healthcare system.  Let’s start with HPV vaccines, which prevent cervical cancer and protect adolescent girls at scale. Then, our oncology innovations are revolutionizing cancer treatment. We’re talking about a single immunotherapy product—Keytruda®, approved for 27 different cancer indications globally—including triple-negative breast cancer, a particularly aggressive subtype that accounts for up to 60 % of breast cancer cases in Nigeria. It’s no exaggeration to say this product has turned what used to be a death sentence into a survivable condition, adding as much as seven extra years of life to patients. Our presence ensures consistent availability and supply—crucial for continuity of care.

    We support localisation but manufacturing pharmaceuticals requires economies of scale. For niche or lower-volume products, localised manufacturing might actually raise costs due to reduced efficiency. A meaningful localization strategy for Africa would require regional or continental coordination—leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) or Africa CDC—where one manufacturing hub could serve multiple countries. That kind of harmonization hasn’t fully happened yet. However, for larger-scale products or programmes, countries like Nigeria could certainly qualify for localised manufacturing, especially if the political will and regional cooperation align.

    MSD for Mothers is very active in Nigeria. We have a dedicated staff member based in Lagos who manages our maternal health programs. Nigeria and Kenya are our two largest investment markets for this initiative on the continent. Through MSD for Mothers, we focus on improving maternal health outcomes by strengthening health systems, improving access to quality care, and working with local partners. We’re happy to share a detailed info pack outlining our current and past interventions in Nigeria. Our oncology immunotherapy product is approved for treating triple-negative breast cancer, among others. This is significant because TNBC currently lacks many effective treatment options and disproportionately affects Nigerian women. The availability of this treatment offers real hope where previously there was very little.

  • First Lady seeks synergy against cervical cancer

    First Lady seeks synergy against cervical cancer

    • Governors endorse initiative, promise support

    The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, yesterday urged development partners, private sector players, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and academic institutions to commit their resources, expertise, and innovation to the national campaign for the elimination of cervical cancer.

    Mrs. Tinubu spoke at the official unveiling of the Partnership to Eliminate Cervical Cancer in Nigeria (PECCiN) at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.

    The First Lady said the time has come for all stakeholders to take collective action against the disease, which she said is preventable though deadly.

    “At this juncture, I call on all development partners, the private sector, NGOs, and academic institutions to commit their resources, expertise, and innovation to this campaign. We count on you all to ensure that this collaboration succeeds,” she said.

    Describing the launch of PECCiN as the beginning of a “transformational journey in the health and dignity of Nigerian women and girls,” Mrs. Tinubu stressed that cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer among women in Nigeria, despite being one of the most preventable.

    “Cervical cancer is a silent killer and one that strikes hardest at the most vulnerable women. Yet, this is a preventable cancer,” the First Lady said.

    Mrs. Tinubu lauded the alignment of PECCiN with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on health, which seeks to prioritise the well-being of all Nigerians, especially women.

    According to her, the initiative underscores the administration’s determination to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health threat, by 2030.

    “Nigeria has shown that it is possible,” The First Lady said, referencing the country’s successful nationwide rollout of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in 2023.

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    “In just nine months, we protected over 12 million girls. That is a landmark achievement,” she added.

    The First Lady acknowledged the pivotal roles played by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, and global health partners, including Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, WHO, and UNICEF in achieving this milestone.

    “But we cannot stop there. We must build on this momentum — expand HPV screening, scale up treatment through innovative, cost-effective technologies, and establish these services where they matter most: in our primary and secondary health care facilities,” she said.

    The First Lady noted that “funding and a lot of resources are needed,” announcing that her pet project, the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), had committed ₦1 billion to support the national campaign.

    “I call on our state governors, business leaders, and development partners to join in supporting this laudable initiative. Together, we must invest in a future where no woman dies from a preventable disease,” Mrs. Tinubu added.

    The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), which was represented by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, promised its partnership with the First Lady to reduce the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer across the country.

    Uzodimma expressed the governors’ readiness to adopt necessary policies at the state level and ensure the allocation of domestic funding for cervical cancer prevention and treatment programmes.

    He stressed the importance of strengthening primary healthcare systems to deliver equitable services, especially to women in rural and underserved communities.

    The Chairman of the NTF-CCE and former Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, promised that PECCiN would drive the coordinated and sub-national government-led expansion of cervical cancer elimination activities and foster multi-sectoral collaboration across public and private sectors.

    Vice Chairman of the committee, Zainab Shinkafi-Bagadu, noted that the launch of PECCiN showed a renewed commitment to combating cervical cancer in the country.

  • First Lady’s RHI backs battle against cervical cancer with N1b

    First Lady’s RHI backs battle against cervical cancer with N1b

    First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) has announced a N1 billion donation to the fight against cervical cancer by the National Cancer Fund.

    The donation, which coincided with the 2025 edition of the World Health Day, was made when the First Lady hosted a delegation of the National Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination at the State House, in Abuja yesterday.

    A statement by the First Lady’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi, said the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, led the team.

    Senator Tinubu urged Nigerians – especially women, not to suffer in silence when facing medical challenges.

    The statement reads: “No one chooses an ailment for themselves. So, there is no need to be ashamed to seek help.”

    Urging women to “speak up and seek appropriate help”, Mrs. Tinubu expressed strong support for the national strategy against cervical cancer, which includes screening, vaccination, and treatment.

    “I’m in support of what you are doing. We are on track, especially with the approach you have adopted – test, screen, vaccinate and treatment,” she said, stressing the importance of early detection and intervention in defeating the disease.

    She added: “A healthy nation is a wealthy nation. No matter what wealth you have as a nation, if your population or majority of your population is sick, you are just the poorest as far as I am concerned.”

    Dr. Salako commended the First Lady’s role in promoting the HPV vaccine, which has been integrated into the country’s routine immunisation programme.

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    He disclosed that 12 million girls aged nine to 13 were vaccinated within the first nine months of the vaccine’s introduction, with a target of 6 million more girls this year.

    Former Minister of Health and Chairman of the Taskforce, Professor Isaac Adewole, described Senator Tinubu’s involvement as a demonstration of “uncommon political will.”

    He urged her to continue championing the cause, noting that with sustained advocacy, the country could meet its target of immunising eight million girls annually and eliminating cervical cancer by 2030.

    Country Representative of the World Health Organisation, Dr. Walter Mulombo, appealed to the First Lady to lead the national campaign.

    “Every child and woman has a right to live,” he said.

    The World Health Day 2025 has “Healthy beginnings, hopeful future” as theme.

  • Cervical cancer: Nordica Fertility Centre gifts FCT first detection machine 

    Cervical cancer: Nordica Fertility Centre gifts FCT first detection machine 

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has acquired its first colposcopy machine, marking a significant step in combating cervical cancer and improving health outcomes in the region, it emerged on Sunday.  

    According to the Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dolapo Fasawe, the importance of the machine cannot be overemphasized considering that cervical cancer is a major health concern in Nigeria being the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women aged 15-44 years. 

    The colposcopy machine was donated to the FCT by Nordica Fertility Centre, Abuja, according to a statement on Sunday by the Media Aide to the Mandate Secretary, Bola Ajao.

    Noting that in 2020, Nigeria recorded 12,000 new cases and 8,000 deaths, Fasawe underscored the urgency of addressing this issue, adding that the donation is a significant step to combat early detection and treatment in the FCT.

    Highlighting the importance of the donation during the commissioning of the equipment at the Wuse General Hospital, Fasawe said, “This is the first colposcopy centre in the FCT general hospitals and will also serve as a referral centre for all public and private hospitals within the FCT.

    “It provides an opportunity to ‘see and treat’ early changes in the cervix, helping to prevent cervical cancer.”

    While she noted that cervical cancer has a pre-malignant phase lasting 10-15 years, which offers a critical window for early detection and treatment, the Mandate Secretary encouraged women of reproductive age to undergo regular screenings to prevent unnecessary deaths.

    The available screening methods, she said, include the Papanicolaou (Pap) smear and the more advanced colposcopy procedure, which is particularly useful for women with abnormal Pap smear results, unusual vaginal bleeding, abnormal cervical lesions, or Postcoital bleeding.

    According to her, the colposcopy suite allows healthcare providers to detect and treat lesions early, perform biopsies of suspicious areas, and offer timely interventions to women who might otherwise be lost to follow-up.

    She commended the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, for his dedication to improving healthcare through various initiatives, including advocacy for HPV vaccination to reduce the disease’s burden and protect women’s health

    Fasawe, however, commended Nordica Fertility Centre for the donation while calling on other partners and organizations to support the government in building a more effective healthcare system.

    In his remarks, the Medical Director of Wuse General Hospital, Oluseyi Ashaolu also urged 

    women within the reproductive age group to take advantage of the facility, adding that colposcopy is a safe and effective method for detecting abnormal cell growth in the cervix, vagina, and vulva. 

    He also announced that to encourage the use of the facility, the Health Services and Environment Secretariat of the FCTA has approved free colposcopy services for all female staff of FCT general hospitals until January 2025.

    According to him, the procedures would be conducted by specialists in gynecologic oncology, and patients with abnormal findings would receive appropriate treatments, including thermal ablation, Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP), or definitive surgeries as necessary.

  • Cervical Cancer: FG vows to eradicate scourge, begins HPV vaccination in North Central schools

    Cervical Cancer: FG vows to eradicate scourge, begins HPV vaccination in North Central schools

    The federal government has vowed to eradicate the Human Papillomavirus, HPV, among teenage girls in Nigeria through rigorous vaccination.

    Speaking at the HPV regional vaccination flag off exercise yesterday in Lafia, the Director General of the National Institute For Cancer Research And Treatment, Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, said the aim of the exercise was to completely eradicate cervical cancer in the North Central region and the country at large.

    The vaccination exercise is for young girls between the ages of 9 and 14 years in secondary schools across the North Central Region against HPV, which is responsible for cervical cancer in women.

    Our correspondent gathered that HPV, a virus which has led to untimely death of many Nigerian women, is the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract, mainly transmitted through sexual intercourse.

    The DG, who was represented by the Senior Scientific Officer of NICRAT, Musa Mutiu-Terere, expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his untiring efforts to put an end to the mortality rate of young girls and women caused by HPV in the region.

    He said, “This event is necessary considering the devastating effects of HPV in the lives of women. This also shows the commitment of the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to halt cervical cancer, thereby improving the health status of our women in particular and Nigerians in general.

    “The decision of the NICRAT to target Secondary Schools for implementation of this programme is deliberate, considering the number of the beneficiaries involved. To achieve maximum outcome, we have, therefore, resolved to take the vaccination to all secondary schools across the six geo-political zones in Nigeria in the first phase.”

  • High rate of cervical cancer in Nigeria unacceptable, says Katsina First Lady

    High rate of cervical cancer in Nigeria unacceptable, says Katsina First Lady

    The First Lady of Katsina State, Hajiya Fatima Dikko Radda, has condemned the high prevalence of cervical cancer in Nigeria, calling it “unacceptable” for a preventable disease. 

    She emphasised that coordinated efforts among stakeholders can eliminate it as a public health threat.  

    She noted that with commitment, active stakeholder collaboration, and robust awareness advocacy, other states can emulate Katsina state, which achieved 100% HPV vaccination coverage during the national campaign, paving the way for the elimination of the disease.

    Radda spoke in Abuja on Thursday during the 2nd Stakeholders’ Summit on Cervical Cancer Elimination in Nigeria, organized by End Cervical Cancer Nigeria Initiative (ECCNI).

    Radda, who is also the Founder of Pledging Aid Charity Foundation, lamented that cervical cancer is a preventable disease, yet it remains the second leading cause of cancer-related death among women in Nigeria.

    She, however, stressed that the situation is not irreversible, citing how her family is leading from the front in fighting against the disease.

    She said: “I say this is unacceptable and it is our collective responsibility to change this narrative. 

    “Today we gather as stakeholders to reaffirm our commitment to eliminating cervical cancer in Nigeria.

    “We must work together to ensure that every woman and girl has access to screening, vaccination and treatment. 

    “In May this year, under the leadership of my husband, Governor Dikko Radda, Katsina State has successfully introduced the HPV vaccine among other phase 2 States, achieving 100% coverage of the entire population, with my daughter as the first official uptaker in the State. 

    “I urge us all to approach this meeting with a sense of urgency, compassion and collaboration. 

    “Let us share our expertise, experiences and ideas to develop effective strategies for cervical cancer elimination in Nigeria. 

    “And to my fellow women, I say let us take ownership of our health and the health of our loved ones. 

    “Let us educate ourselves, our families and our communities about cervical cancer prevention. Finally, I would like to commend the efforts of the local organizing committee of this meeting. 

    “And I say together we can make a difference. Together we can promote a healthier future for all Nigerian women and girls. And together we can eliminate cervical cancer in Nigeria”. 

    Osasuyi Dirisu, the Executive Director of the Policy Innovation Centre, in her keynote address, stressed the need for collaborative action to achieve Nigeria’s 2030 Universal Health Coverage (UHC) target. 

    Speaking on the theme of the Summit ‘Strengthening collaboration towards achieving cervical cancer elimination targets in Nigeria’, while commending the government’s progress, Dirisu highlighted critical gaps and proposed steps to improve health outcomes for women and girls.  

    “Nigeria has vaccinated over 10 million adolescent girls against HPV since 2023, but this is far from the target required to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health concern,” she said.  

    Dirisu identified misinformation, parental consent challenges, and limited grassroots mobilization as significant barriers to vaccine uptake. 

    She acknowledged initiatives like the National Cancer Control Program and partnerships with global organizations, including the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO), but called for more coordinated efforts.  

    “Cervical cancer is preventable and treatable, yet it remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Nigerian women. Collaboration is essential to combat misinformation, ensure equitable vaccine access, and prioritize marginalized communities,” Dirisu emphasized.  

    Prof. Usman Aliyu, Director General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), elaborated on NICRAT’s strategies to address cervical cancer. 

    He highlighted the institute’s collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to pilot a school-based HPV vaccination program targeting six States in the pilot phase, with stakeholder engagements set to strengthen vaccination efforts and achieve 90% coverage.  

    On screening, Aliyu, who was represented by Waziri Usman, the Director of Cancer Prevention and Control at NICRAT, noted the agency’s efforts to expand nationwide access and strengthen frontline health workers’ capacity. 

    “By 2025, we aim to scale up these activities and establish a national cervical cancer screening program,” he said.  

    He also revealed plans to increase cancer treatment centers from six to at least 12 while prioritizing pre-cancer treatment and operationalizing the National Cervical Cancer Control Program launched in 2023. 

    He highlighted the recently constituted National Task Force for Cervical Cancer Elimination, led by former Health Minister Prof. Isaac Adewole, as a testament to the government’s commitment to tackling the issue.

    Ishak Lawal, Executive Director of ECCNI, emphasized the need for collective efforts to achieve WHO’s targets of vaccinating 90% of adolescent girls, screening 70% of eligible women, and treating 90% of positive cases.  

    “Developing countries face unique challenges, but this summit provides an opportunity for localized solutions,” Lawal said. Praising government initiatives, he likened progress to assembling a car: “Without every part working together, it won’t move.”

  • Experts seek action on cervical cancer

    Experts seek action on cervical cancer

    Consultant Obstetrics and Gynaecologist, Healthwize Consult, Lagos, Dr  Olufunmilola Mojoyinola; Dr Geoff Ohen, and founder of Rock Foundation for Widows, Orphans and Less privileged (ROFWOL), Mrs Favour Chika-Okafor, have urged government to create more awareness on the danger of cervical cancer,  screen and test women.

    They spoke at an event in Lagos entitled: “Rock Foundation for Widows, Orphans and Less Privileged (ROFWOL), celebrating 22 years of touching lives and fundraising for five years project.”

      Mojoyinola, noted that the government had done a lot but needed to do  more by way of public enlightenment so that people would know that early detection could save lives. 

    She also lamented that women were not utilising provisions  made for them in public hospitals to screen themselves. She, therefore, urged them  not to turndown such opportunities.

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    She said: “To void cervical cancer, the first thing a woman should do is to go for screening because it is the screening that will detect if a woman actually has cancer because it does not give symptoms in the early stages until it is about to be diagnosed.

    So, every woman once you are sexually active must screen for cervical cancer. It can be every three years, using pap smear or using HPV, which is every five years. That is very essential. Then, of course, promiscuity should be avoided. Once a lady is exposed to a man, she should start screening.” 

    The convener of ROFWOL, Chika- Okafor,  decried the huge cost of carrying out a test, while  urging government to help cervical cancer patients by reducing cost.

     She called for free screening in public hospitals. 

    She also advised corporate organisations to support free screening  as part of their corporate social responsibility.

    Ohen, who chaired  the event,  enjoined everyone to contribute his/her quota to help the foundation achieve its goal and aim of eradicating cervical cancer.  The event was attended by many personalities including popular singer/songwriter, Onyeka Onwewu, among others.

  • ‘HPV vaccines can reverse high cervical cancer recurrence’

    ‘HPV vaccines can reverse high cervical cancer recurrence’

    To commemorate the Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action, a global research-intensive biopharmaceutical company, Merck Sharp and Dohme (MSD), organised a virtual media event geared towards the 90:70:90 cervical cancer elimination targets set by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

    With the theme: “Progress Towards HPV Vaccination in Sub-Saharan Africa,” it was also to present the latest data on progress made in HPV immunisation in countries in East, West and Southern Africa.

    This year marks the third year since 194 countries committed to accelerating the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem.

    On November 17, 2020 the World Health Organisation launched the “Global Strategy to Accelerate the Elimination of Cervical Cancer by 2030.”

    Under the 90:70:90 targets of the WHO, it aims to end cervical cancer through vaccination of 90 per cent of girls, ensure that 70 per cent of women are screened and also see to it that 90 per cent of women receive treatment.

    Experts who made presentations at the event include Professor Mosa Moshabela, Professor of Public and Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; Dr. Phionah Atuhebwe, the Senior Health Adviser for Immunisation at the UNICEF, the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) Manager for Rwanda, Dr. Sibomana Hassan and the Director of the Agency of Preventive Medicine, Dr. Alima Essoh.

    According to the Director of the Agency of Preventive Medicine, Dr. Alima Essoh, cervical cancer incidence rate in Africa is higher than the world average.

    She made this known during her presentation titled: “Understanding HPV And The Burden Of HPV Diseases In Sub-Saharan Africa Countries”

     Essoh stated that while cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women globally, it is the second leading cause of female cancer in Africa, adding that 90 per cent of new cases and deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.

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    Highlighting the burden of cervical cancer statistics, she explained that 425.68 million women aged 15 years and above are at risk of developing cervical cancer; with 117,316 women being diagnosed, leading to 76,745 deaths.

    She said: “Thirty-four out of every 100 000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer while 23 out of every 100 000 women die from cervical cancer annually. Meanwhile, elimination of cervical cancer is possible if all countries reach and maintain an incidence rate of below 4 cases per 100 000 women.

    According to Essoh, prevention of HPV is the primary and secondary prevention methods.

    She said primary prevention involves the administration of Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines primarily targeted at girls aged between 9 and 14 in low- and middle-income countries, and both boys and girls within the same 9 to 14 age-range in developed countries.

    She stated that secondary prevention methods involve screening to detect and treat pre-cancerous lesions. The vaccine clinical development expert further stated that cervical precancerous lesions can be treated through various treatment methods.

    Essoh noted that HPV vaccines are effective and safe to prevent cervical cancer.

    In her presentation titled: “Progress Towards 2030 Cervical Cancer Elimination Targets in Sub- Saharan Africa countries,” Senior Health Adviser for Immunization at the UNICEF Headquarters, Dr. Phionah Atuhebwe, said cervical cancer elimination initiative was introduced by the WHO to help eliminate cervical cancer.

    The initiative is categorised into three targets which are the primary, secondary and tertiary targets.

    She said: “The primary target is that 90 per cent of all girls should be fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccines by the age of 15. The secondary target is that 70 per cent of women should be screened with two high-performance screening tests, first, when they attain the age of 35, and secondly, when they attain the age of 45. The tertiary target is that 90 per cent of women at the pre-cancerous stage receive treatment, while 90 per cent of women who have been diagnosed with invasive cancer are managed for their pain.”

    Reiterating that over 90 per cent of cervical cancer cases are recorded in Africa and that acceptance of HPV vaccines can reverse the high cervical cancer recurrence, Dr Atuhebwe said: “We do not want to see the high rate of cervical cancer occurrence again because this is one of the two cancers that is preventable by the HPV vaccines. The vaccines are highly effective and efficacious and can stop 90 per cent of cervical cancers. There is no reason why we should not be able to eliminate this disease.

    “We want to have all countries having less than for cases of cervical cancer per 100,000 women.”

    Speaking on the progress made in Africa, she identified that Nigeria is the 27th country in Sub-Saharan Africa to introduce the HPV vaccine.

    She added that the HPV vaccine acceptance was moderate in West Africa and high in Eastern and Southern Africa. According to her, Cameroon and Sao Tome & Principe are the only in Central Africa have introduced the vaccine.

    Speaking on the global impact and acceptance of the HPV vaccines, Dr. Atuhebwe said: “HPV vaccines continue to show an excellent safety profile and after 15 years of use of the vaccine, there is real-life evidence that vaccination prevents invasive cervical cancer.”

    Prof Mosa Moshabela in his presentation identified barriers to the successful implementation of HPV vaccination programs in sub-Saharan Africa. According to him, some of the obstacles are socio cultural, vaccine supply constraints, safety concerns and efficacy as well as costs and sustainability amongst others.

    He said: “There are concerns around safety and effectiveness of the vaccines. When this barrier has been overcome, you have issues of trust related to scientists and governments and pharmaceutical companies. And that mistrust often influences whether people will accept vaccines or not. That is why you see that issues of vaccines become quite political, and we cannot neglect the fact that health is political. We have to embrace and work with that challenge.”

    Prof Moshabela further highlighted the availability, affordability, distribution and cultural and religious belief as hurdles which also have to be overcome for a successful vaccination process.