Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, who chairs the Senate Committee on Primary Health and Communicable Diseases, has strongly recommended that the federal government declare a national emergency in the ongoing battle against cancer. This call comes amidst growing concerns about the impact of breast cancer across Nigeria and the challenges faced by affected patients.
Speaking at a World Cancer Day Symposium hosted by Project Pink Blue in Abuja on Tuesday, Senator Ohuabunwa stressed the importance of government ensuring comprehensive care for individuals diagnosed with breast cancer. While commending existing government efforts to tackle cancer, he asserted that more needed to be done.
"I really want to call that cancer treatment should be made a national emergency," Ohuabunwa stated. He specifically highlighted the need to pay greater attention to vulnerable populations and those in conflict zones, where access to essential treatments and screenings is severely limited.
"Definitely, it should be a national emergency, and especially in those vulnerable areas, those areas that conflict are preventing patients from going for treatment, for screening and what have you," he added.
Echoing similar sentiments, Mrs. Chioma Uzodinma, wife of the Imo State Governor and Chairperson of the First Ladies Against Cancer (FLAC), outlined the various initiatives undertaken by the First Ladies group to address cancer in the nation. She pointed out that increased funding is crucial to provide adequate care and support for breast cancer patients.
Mrs. Uzodinma detailed FLAC's efforts since 2025 under her leadership, noting expanded collaborations with state governments, private sector entities, and international development partners to advance cancer treatment, research, and advocacy. These initiatives encompass community-level education, free screening services, patient support programs, and policy advocacy, often in partnership with federal and state health ministries, research institutes, and international organizations.
Furthermore, FLAC has been actively engaged in coordinated actions to eliminate cervical cancer, supporting HPV vaccinations for young girls and conducting screenings for thousands of women in underserved communities.
Project Pink Blue, the host organization, highlighted how current conflicts and insecurity are exacerbating existing deficiencies in cancer care throughout Nigeria. The symposium was organized to evaluate these impacts and formulate strategies to surmount these obstacles.
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