Minister calls for unity in cancer fight

The FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, on Tuesday in Abuja, emphasised the urgent need for collaboration to address cancer, describing it as a growing public health challenge in Nigeria.

Speaking at the opening of the 2025 International Cancer Week, Mahmoud said the disease remained one of the nation’s most pressing health concerns requiring immediate, sustained, and collective efforts to overcome.

She noted the event’s theme, “Redefining the Future of Cancer Prevention, Access, and Equity for All,” stresses the importance of ensuring every Nigerian could access prevention and treatment, regardless of status.

The minister highlighted that cancer remained a leading global cause of illness and death, with Nigeria particularly affected by its growing impact on public health and family life.

Mahmoud outlined the FCT administration’s commitment to prevention, citing continuous investment in awareness campaigns, early detection initiatives, and strategic public-private partnerships to support cancer control efforts.

She reiterated the administration’s broader goal of strengthening the healthcare system with a focus on prevention, early diagnosis, and ensuring accessible, quality care for all residents of the FCT.

The minister explained that fighting cancer now went beyond medical solutions, calling for a comprehensive approach that included education, empathy, community engagement, and research funding.

Mahmoud said the FCT was exploring innovative approaches such as research investments, emotional support systems, and widespread education to reduce the cancer burden in local communities.

She lauded International Cancer Week for encouraging meaningful dialogue, fostering collaboration, and mobilising stakeholders toward changing the course of cancer for individuals, families, and vulnerable communities.

The minister commended the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, Nigeria Cancer Society, and partners for their continued commitment to cancer prevention and treatment.

Mahmoud reaffirmed the FCT administration’s ongoing support for health initiatives aimed at improving service delivery, strengthening partnerships, and building a future where cancer was no longer a national threat.