FCT expands cancer care access through new initiatives

Cancer care projects were launched in Abuja on Tuesday to strengthen diagnosis, treatment and long-term care across the Federal Capital Territory.

The projects, unveiled under the City Cancer Challenge initiative, brought together government officials, development partners and health stakeholders at a kick-off event in the nation’s capital.

In her opening remarks, the Mandate Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, said the initiative followed more than two years of planning and strategic engagement.

Fasawe also serves as Chair of the Abuja City Cancer Challenge Executive Committee.

“Today marks a pivotal transition from planning to action. We are moving from design to implementation, from ideas to impact.

“This milestone reflects over 30 months of deliberate effort, collaboration, and strategic thinking aimed at transforming cancer care delivery in the Federal Capital Territory,” she said.

The mandate secretary explained that the programme was developed through consultations with healthcare providers, civil society organisations and patients, which helped identify critical gaps across the cancer care system.

“Through this process, we generated strong, evidence-based insights into the gaps and challenges that exist across the cancer care continuum-from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, treatment, and palliative care,” she added.

According to her, the nine projects span key areas such as health system coordination, imaging, laboratory services, radiotherapy and surgery.

“Consequently, the nine endorsed projects we are launching today-covering Health Systems Coordination, Quality of Cancer Care, Imaging for Cancer Care, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Systemic Therapy, Radiotherapy, and Cancer Surgery-represent a comprehensive and integrated response to these identified gaps.

“Together, they form a coordinated framework that will strengthen our health system and improve access to quality cancer services for residents of Abuja,” Fasawe said.

Despite the launch, concerns persist over longstanding challenges in Nigeria’s cancer care system, including late diagnosis, high treatment costs and limited infrastructure, raising questions about how quickly the projects will improve patient outcomes.

Fasawe acknowledged the importance of effective execution.

“Cancer remains a significant and growing public health challenge. Addressing it requires not only technical solutions but strong leadership, sustained commitment, and effective coordination. As a government, we are fully committed to driving this agenda forward and ensuring that these projects translate into measurable improvements in patient care. outcomes.

“However, the success of this program will depend on all of us. Implementation is where plans are tested, partnerships are strengthened, and results are delivered. It will require discipline, accountability, and continued collaboration among all stakeholders represented here today.

“As the host city, we reaffirm our full commitment to the ultimate goal of improving the lives of the people we serve. Every intervention we implement must contribute to earlier diagnosis, better treatment, reduced mortality, and improved quality of life for cancer patients and their families,” she said.

Regional Director for Africa and Europe at City Cancer Challenge, Sophie Bussmann-Kemdjo, described the initiative as a milestone in Nigeria’s cancer care transformation and reaffirmed the organisation’s long-term commitment.

“Our objective is not to stop here but to continue working with Nigeria to dive deeper into infrastructure development, human resource capacity, and other critical areas,” she said.

She noted that lessons from Ghana demonstrate the benefits of sustained collaboration and expressed confidence that the initiative would extend beyond Abuja.

“We are confident that this initiative will extend beyond the Federal Capital Territory to other regions of the country,” Bussmann-Kemdjo added.

Highlighting the collaborative nature of the programme, she said, “This is truly a collaborative achievement. It would not have been possible without the commitment and engagement of everyone involved.”

She also emphasised the importance of partnerships with government institutions. “Without the ministry, nothing is possible at the policy level,” she noted.

Bussmann-Kemdjo further disclosed that a comprehensive needs assessment was conducted across healthcare facilities in the FCT.

“This citywide data collection helped us identify key gaps, which were then prioritised through a collaborative process,” she said.

In her goodwill message, the Chief Executive Officer of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation and President-elect of the Union for International Cancer Control, Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, said the programme focuses on strengthening city-based health systems.

“We will begin to see tangible developments, such as cancer treatment machines and diagnostic equipment. They work with partners and industry manufacturers to bring these solutions to the city,” she said.

She acknowledged that access and affordability remain major challenges but expressed optimism.

Shinkafi-Bagudu also advised patients to seek proper guidance when exploring care options.

“The internet has a lot of information, and there are many civil society organisations that can support patients—not necessarily financially, but in helping them find the right care, the right doctor, and the right hospital for their type of cancer,” she said.

Also speaking, the National Coordinator of the National Cancer Control Programme and Nuclear Medicine at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Uchechukwu Nwokwu, said the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s national cancer strategy.

“The City Cancer Challenge developed nine projects intended to support cancer care services within Abuja.

“These include health system strengthening and coordination, cancer surgery, systemic treatment such as chemotherapy, and cancer diagnosis using imaging and laboratory services,” Nwokwu said.

He added that the projects were designed in collaboration with stakeholders and complement national priorities.

“These projects align with key pillars of the Nigerian Cancer Control Plan, particularly diagnosis and early detection, as well as treatment and palliative care, including patient navigation,” he said.

Nwokwu identified patient navigation as a major gap in the current system.

“Patient navigation is one of the areas that has been lacking in our health system. Many patients are unable to complete their care pathway because of the complexity of the system. Some become discouraged and drop out of treatment,” he said.

He expressed hope that the initiative would ease challenges faced by patients.