By Hashim Ibrahim
Some select Bauchi based Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) Alheri YS Foundation and AABA -LIFE Foundation (ALFO) with support from World Health Organisation (WHO), Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), VIC JONES CARE Foundation and Bauchi Specialist Hospital and have organised a One Day Seminar to commemorate the 2025 World Cancer Day.
Held on Tuesday 4th February, 2025 at the conference hall of the Specialist Hospital Bauchi, the seminar was part of activities marking the World Cancer Day which is aimed at amplifying issues around Cancer and to explore avenues on how to mitigate the scourge across the State and the Nation at large.
In a welcome remark at the occasion, the Executive Director of Alheri YS Foundation Ms. Alheri Sarauta said that the day is not just a day of awareness, but a call to action—an opportunity to unite our voices, resources, and expertise to fight against cancer and support those affected by this disease.
Alheri said that , her Organisation and other like minded NGOs like VIC JONES Foundation believes in collaborative efforts in addressing Cancer menace, stressing that, “Together, we can make a difference. Cancer should no longer be a death sentence, nor should it be a battle fought alone. We should all reinforce our commitment to raising awareness, supporting patients, and advocating for policies that improve cancer care and prevention in our communities”.
Ms. Sarauta then extended gratitude to the First Lady of Bauchi State Dr. Aisha Bala Mohammed for her unwavering support and advocacy in the health sector.
“Your Excellency, your leadership and compassion continue to inspire meaningful interventions in the fight against cancer”.
“We also recognize the invaluable contributions of the Bauchi State Specialist Hospital in providing quality care for Cancer patients, World Health Organization and Clithon Health Access Initiative and all representatives from various MDAs present today. Your dedication to strengthening healthcare systems and promoting cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment is truly commendable”, said Alheri.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of AABA -LIFE Foundation (ALFO) Aisha Adam Bappa said that the World Cancer Day provides a platform to stand together in solidarity with those who are battling cancer, survivors, the families and caregivers who provide unwavering support to cancer patients.
Bappa urged stakeholders to continue to raise awareness, foster hope, and work towards a future where cancer is no longer a threat.
The ED of ALFO, while appreciating the tremendous support her Organisation is receiving from the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, also extended her appreciation to the First Lady of Bauchi State Dr. Aisha Bala Mohammed for her consistent support and advocacy in the health sector.
“We at ALFO believe that together, we can make a difference. No cancer patient should fight alone. We stand firmly to raise awareness, support patients, and advocate for policies that improve cancer care and prevention in Bauchi State and Nigeria at large”, said Bappa.
In a key note address at the event, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Bauchi Specialist Hospital Professor Abdulkarim Garba Mairiga revealed that World Cancer Day becomes an international day observed every 4th February to raise awareness about cancer, encourage its prevention, and mobilise action to address the global cancer spread.
The CMD said that the 2025-2027 World Cancer Day’s theme, “United by Unique” is aimed to explore different dimensions of people-centred cancer care and new ways of making a difference, emphasising that, it will offer a three-year journey from raising awareness to taking action.
“It is pertinent to note that every experience with cancer is unique and it will require concerted effort from all of us, united, to create a world where we look beyond the disease and see the person before the patient. That requires not only the diagnosis and treatment but also compassion, empathy and fortitude to the person affected”.
“According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, in 2022 Nigeria recorded 127,763 new cases of cancers with 79,542 fatalities (death) i.e. every day 220 people died of cancers. These figures are just the tip of the icebergs as many patients are in the communities, especially rural areas, unable to access health services and be captured in the statistics (also none availability of population-based cancer registry). Because of these alarming cases, in June 2024, the Federal Ministry of Health declared cancers as notifiable disease. The three leading cancers in Nigeria are Breast (25.3%), Prostate (14.1%), and Cervical (10.7%) cancers. That is to say women are more affected by cancers than men”, said Professor Mairiga.
In her speech at the occasion, the wife of the Bauchi State Governor and first lady of the State, Dr. Aisha Bala Mohammed said that the day is a reminder of the countless lives affected by this disease and the importance of continuing efforts to reduce the burden of cancer, improve prevention, and enhance the quality of care available to those in need.
Dr. Aisha Mohammed stressed that her Organisation, Almuhibbah Foundation, is deeply committed to improving healthcare access, especially for those who are most vulnerable.
The First Lady also reiterated that Cancer scourge is not just a medical challenge, but also a human challenge that demands collective action, support, and advocacy.
Dr. Mohammed said that her Foundation recognizes that the fight against cancer is not fought in isolation and that It is fought through collaboration, empowerment, and the unwavering support of communities.
“We, at Almuhibbah Foundation, have been involved, over the years, in improving the health and well-being of people in our communities. Through our initiatives, we aim to alleviate some of the burdens caused by cancer and other health challenges that families face”.
“One of our key initiatives has been the provision of ambulances to ensure that people in remote areas can get timely medical attention and transportation. Access to emergency services can make the difference between life and death, and we are proud to have contributed to saving lives in this manner”.
“Our Foundation has also made significant strides in assisting individuals financially by paying medical bills for those who cannot afford treatment which often comes at a great financial cost among other infrastructural interventions”, the First Lady Said.
She then commended Alheri YS, ALFO and VIC Jones Care Foundations and their partners for organising the seminar and further encouraged them not to be deterred in sustaining their campaigns on the menace of Cancer.
Part of the activity during the seminar was a presentation on most common Cancers among men and women in Nigeria made by Dr.Habiba Ismail and testimonies of Cancer survivors.
Our correspondent reports that the 2025 World Cancer Day Seminar was supported by World Health Organisation (WHO), Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) , VIC JONES CARE Foundation and the Bauchi Specialist Hospital.