The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, is set to launch a new national initiative aimed at eliminating cervical cancer in the country. The event is scheduled to hold on Tuesday at the State House in Abuja.
The initiative, called the Partnership to Eliminate Cervical Cancer in Nigeria (PECCIN), is part of a wider effort led by the National Task Force on Cervical Cancer Elimination (NTF-CCE). This was announced on Saturday by Mrs. Moji Makanjuola, Chair of Media and Communications for the task force.
PECCIN was created to speed up the implementation of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 90-70-90 targets in Nigeria. These targets focus on vaccinating girls against the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), screening women early for cervical cancer, and ensuring timely treatment for those affected.
According to Mrs. Makanjuola, the Federal Government is working closely with development partners and other stakeholders to make PECCIN a success. The goal is to promote strong coordination among different sectors, increase funding, and improve the delivery of cervical cancer prevention and treatment services.
Professor Isaac Adewole, Chairman of the National Task Force and former Minister of Health, highlighted the urgency of the situation. He revealed that 60 million Nigerian women are at risk of cervical cancer and about 22 women die daily from this preventable disease.
The WHO launched the global Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative in 2020, making it the first worldwide commitment to eliminate a cancer type. The strategy’s key targets are to vaccinate 90% of girls aged 9 to 14, screen 70% of eligible women for precancerous conditions, and treat 90% of diagnosed cases by 2030.
In Nigeria, the NTF-CCE was established in August 2024 by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to lead the country’s response to this challenge. By 2027, the task force aims to vaccinate at least 50% of eligible girls and screen 50% of women, while strengthening health systems to ensure treatment reaches all who need it.
The task force is made up of 10 specialized subcommittees to oversee the program’s implementation effectively. Members include representatives from the Federal Ministry of Health, WHO, National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, among others.
Other partners involved are the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Clinton Health Access Initiative, Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria, and the Gates Foundation.
This initiative marks a significant step forward in Nigeria’s battle against cervical cancer, offering hope to millions of women at risk and reinforcing the government’s commitment to improving public health.
