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Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State
The Nasarawa State Government has established a Desk Office at the State Ministry of Health in order to provide adequate care and support to cancer patients in the state.
While noting that a Population-Based Cancer Registry is also being set up, the government said the desk office is expected to get the complete data and challenges of cancer patients in both the urban and rural areas in the state.
The Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Health, Dr. John Damina, made the disclosure on Tuesday during a Press Briefing in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital to commemorate the 2025 World Cancer Day..
He noted that the fight against cancer was not for the government alone, adding that it requires the collective efforts of individuals, families, healthcare providers, civil society organizations, and the media.
He said, “We have created a Cancer Desk within the Ministry of Health to serve as a central coordination point. This will link our tertiary hospitals, general hospitals, and private health facilities for better cancer diagnosis, treatment, and patient support.
“Also, in collaboration with the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, we are setting up a cancer registry in Nasarawa State. This will provide reliable data to guide policy decisions and interventions.”
While expressing gratitude to the World Health Organization, Leukamia CarePlus Initiative and Nigerian Cancer Society for always supporting the ministry in its fight against cancer in the state, Damina urged residents of the state to go for regular screenings in order to be sure of their health statuses.
The Permanent Secretary further explained that cancer affects the young and old, the rich and poor, men and women alike, and therefore urged the people of the state including health workers and policy makers to remain united in the fight against the dreaded disease.
“In Nigeria, cancer causes more than 72,000 deaths each year, with an estimated 102,000 new cases annually. Breast and cervical cancers are the most common among women, while prostate cancer is the most common among men.
“The estimated incidence of breast cancer in Nigeria stands at 17 per cent, cervical cancer at 14 per cent, liver cancer at 12 per cent, and prostate cancer at 12 per cent. These figures are not just numbers—they represent lives, families, and futures at risk,” he added.
On his part, the Vice President, Nigerian Cancer Society, Dr. Ukoma Chi-Kadibia said cancer detected at an early stage is easier to treat than when it stays in the human body for a long period of time.
He, therefore urged residents of the state to prioritize regular screenings, adding that they should also constantly take note of unusual developments on their bodies and immediately report such changes to their healthcare providers.
Earlier, the Director of Public Health in the state, Dr. Peter Attah while welcoming journalists and other dignitaries at the event, emphasised the need for residents to go for regular screenings in order to remain healthy.
“Cancer can occur on every part of the human body. It can occur on the eye, brain, mouth, skin, breast and even the tongue.
“It can as well develop in the blood, so it is very important for the people of the state to always go to the hospital for screenings,” he said
