The fight against cancer in Nigeria and efforts towards tackling Human Papilloma Virus, HPV have yielded commendable result following the official launch of a mobile cancer screening van which will serve as a free one-stop shop to strengthening cancer prevention, screening and treatment.
The mobile clinic and a molecular laboratory which was facilitated by HPV Consortium, a team of medical science researchers at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan was launched in collaboration with Oyo state Primary Health care Board at a grand breaking ceremony, held at UCH, Ibadan.
The launch of the well equipped mobile clinic van selected Ibadan North, Ibadan North West, Kajola, and Iseyin local government areas of Oyo state as the pilot stage.
In an address, Minister of state for Health and social welfare, Dr Izaq Salako who commended the initiative said Nigeria has one of the highest HPV infections in the world especially among sexually active population, saying it also harbours high burden of HPV-associated cancers in the general and key affected population.
Dr. Salako also hinted that Nigeria alone accounted for nearly half of all reported cervical cancers, 62.6% of anal cancer, and 56% of all oral and oropharyngeal cancers (OOPC) among the 16 West African countries.
He said “.We have established a National Taskforce on cervical cancer elimination in Nigeria chaired by a former Minister of Health and a member of HPV Consortium, Professor Isaac Adewole, FAS. .
The Minister explained that, under the Renewed Hope Agenda, 6 cancers centres of excellence are being established, one per geopolitical zone, to provide comprehensive cancer prevention services, diagnosis and treatment.
He said three of the centers are now ready for commissioning while the remaining 3 will be commissioned on or before February, 2026.
Also speaking, Minister for Education, Dr Maruf Tunji-Alausa represented by the Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Adebowale emphasized the need for tertiary institutions to replicate and revolutionalize such model, not only for cervical cancer but other essential diagnostic and primary health care services nationwide.
In his address, Oyo state governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, represented by the deputy, Chief Bayi Lawal commended the HPV Consortium for facilitating such project to the state, describing it as an opportunity to provide more access to health care for residents.
Governor Makinde however solicited for the expansion of the selected local governments, for adequate coverage.
Speaking from the legislative perspective, the speaker, Oyo state House Of Assembly, Rt. Hon Adebo Ogundoyin pledged the assembly’s resolve to explore possiblity of moving a motion mandating routine HPV vaccination for eligible age groups in public schools, and advocate special budget lines dedicated to supporting community outreach programs such as the mobile truck.
In their goodwill messages, Director General, National Institute of Cancer Research, Dr Usman Aliyu, chairman advisory and implementation committee of the project, Professor Adebisi Adesola and CMD UCH Ibadan, Professor Jessy Otegbayo described the initiative as a major feat to address growing cases of cancer in Nigeria.
Panel of Discussants, Former Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole and Professor Lilang Liu stressed the need to screen and prevent HPV to curtail cervical cance.
The lead project director, HPV Consortium and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Professor Imran Morhason-Bello hinted that, the mobile truck clinic is an automobile, fully equipped for HPV examination, testing and treatment.
Professor Morhason-Bello said there are facilities for self sampling in the van to reduce manpower of medical practitioners.
The programme had in attendance health practitioners, public office holders, medical and Secondary school students and traditional leaders
The initiative is a multidisciplinary and crosscutting membership of the consortium involving experts in clinical medicine and dentistry, public health, sociology and humanities as well as representatives of federal and state government agencies and parastatals.
