By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
Bauchi State on Tuesday joined the rest of the world to commemorate World Cancer Day, as health experts and stakeholders called for increased investment in diagnostic centres, early detection services, and sustained government commitment to cancer control. The event, a one-day seminar organised by the Alheri YS Foundation with support from the Bauchi State Government and the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, was held in Bauchi.
In her welcome address, the convener of the seminar and Executive Director of Alheri YS Foundation, Ms. Alheri Yusuf Sarauta, described World Cancer Day as a vital platform for raising public awareness about cancer prevention and care. She noted that cancer remains a major public health challenge but stresses that early detection significantly improves survival rates and treatment outcomes.
Sarauta expressed appreciation to the Bauchi State Government and the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare for their support, saying the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to addressing the growing cancer burden in the state. She emphasized that sustained advocacy, education, and access to screening services are critical to reducing cancer-related deaths.
Also speaking, Professor Sani Malami, former National President of the Cancer Society of Nigeria, commended the impressive turnout of young people at the seminar. He underscored the importance of early diagnosis and timely treatment, urging governments and stakeholders to strengthen community awareness, expand access to affordable screening services, and integrate cancer detection into primary healthcare, particularly in underserved communities.
Delivering a lecture titled “Developing a State Cancer Control Plan and Register in Bauchi State: Challenges and Way Forward,” Dr. Dauda E. Suleiman, Senior Lecturer and Consultant Pathologist at ATBU/ATBUTH and Bauchi Coordinator of the ATBUTH Cancer Registry, noted that cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, with Nigeria experiencing rising incidence and late presentation. He stressed that early detection, prompt treatment, and reliable data are essential to improving outcomes.
Dr. Suleiman observed that Bauchi State, like many sub-Saharan regions, faces challenges including limited resources, data gaps, and barriers to access. He advocated for a structured cancer control plan anchored on a functional cancer registry to guide policy and resource allocation, adding that “the challenge of cancer in Bauchi State is significant, but it is not insurmountable.”
He concluded that collaboration among government, health institutions, communities, and development partners is key to building a sustainable and compassionate cancer control system.
The seminar attracted participants from relevant government MDAs, the World Health Organization (WHO), medical practitioners, civil society organisations, medical students, and the media.