The Federal Government has set up a 15-member National Task Force Committee for Cervical Cancer Elimination (NTF-CCE) to be chaired by the former Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac F. Adewole.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the constitution of the committee yesterday in Abuja.
The minister said setting up the committee, aligns with the National Strategic Plan for Control of Cervical Cancer 2023-2027, specifically in achieving the ambitious target of screening 50 percent of eligible women, at least, once in their lifetime and treating 100 percent of precancerous lesions detected by 2027.
He said that the Task Force Committee is charged with the responsibility of providing expert guidance, mobilizing resources, and leading a comprehensive national effort to reduce the burden of cervical cancer in Nigeria drastically. The Task Force Committee, comprises prominent Nigerians, such as globally renowned cancer advocate, Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, as its Vice Chairman while Prof Sani A. Malami, is to serve as its Secretary.
The Committee’s terms of reference, the Minister said, include mobilizing potential stakeholders and partners and gaining their buy-in to support the nationwide campaign for the screening and treatment of cervical cancer; establishing a ‘basket-fund’ to pool and administer funds/donations/grants secured from the government, private sector, philanthropic organizations, development partners and NGOs for the effective implementation of the program; establish screening protocols and algorithms using HPV testing or other high-performance methods and develop clear referral pathways for women with positive test results.
The Task Force Committee is also expected to submit quarterly reports through the Director General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, on progress, challenges, and achievements.
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