CurrentReport Blog Nigeria has taken a significant step forward in the fight against cervical cancer with the launch of the Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative, spearheaded by the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with key health sector stakeholders.
The ambitious initiative aims to reduce cervical cancer cases to fewer than four per 100,000 women, marking the elimination threshold in Nigeria. This bold target will be achieved through three critical measures:
- 90% HPV vaccination coverage for girls aged 9–14.
- 70% screening of women aged 35 and 45 using high-performance tests.
- 90% treatment for women diagnosed with pre-invasive and invasive cervical lesions.
Stakeholders Summit Sets the Stage for Collaboration
Following the recent Stakeholders’ Summit on Cervical Cancer Elimination in Nigeria (SSCCEN), Dr. Ishak Lawal, Executive Director of the End Cervical Cancer Nigeria Initiative (ECCNI), expressed optimism about Nigeria’s progress.
He emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating, “Massive progress can be made even without significant funding if stakeholders in cervical cancer advocacy can synergize their activities.”
The summit serves as a platform for idea-sharing and strategy development, focusing on scaling up best practices and tracking progress toward elimination targets.
Recognizing Excellence in Advocacy
This year’s summit highlighted the Cervical Cancer Elimination Service Award (CCESA), which celebrates outstanding contributions to cervical cancer advocacy. Among the honorees were:
- Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu for her global advocacy efforts.
- UNICEF Nigeria for implementing the country’s first standalone cervical cancer summit.
- Dr. Faisal Shuaib, former Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), for introducing the HPV vaccine into Nigeria’s immunization program.
Accelerating the Fight Against Cervical Cancer
The SSCCEN summit aims to ensure sustainable progress by encouraging innovation and rewarding excellence in advocacy and implementation. As Nigeria strengthens its commitment to tackling cervical cancer, stakeholders believe that achieving elimination is within reach.
For more updates on cervical cancer advocacy and health initiatives in Nigeria, stay tuned.
