The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched a nationwide free cancer screening program in Ebonyi State, targeting early detection of breast, cervical, and prostate cancers for 1,000 residents.
The initiative, flagged off by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, at the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital (DUFUTH) in Uburu on February 25, 2026, aims to address the alarming rise in cancer cases across the country.
According to Prof. Robinson Onoh, Chief Medical Director of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (AE-FUTHA), Nigeria recorded 127,000 cancer cases and 79,000 deaths between 2022 and 2025.
The screening focuses on vulnerable groups, including women, men, children, the elderly, indigents, and pregnant women, as part of broader efforts to improve healthcare access and reduce mortality through prevention and early intervention.
The program is part of a collaborative effort between the Federal Ministry of Health and hospitals like DUFUTH, which have already provided free medical treatment to over 8,000 individuals in its first phase of outreach.
Kachollom commissioned new facilities at DUFUTH, including electric stretcher trolleys and a physiotherapy center, during the event.
The screening will continue across zones until the end of February 2026, emphasizing the importance of regular check-ups to combat the disease’s high fatality rate.
Health experts highlight that early detection significantly improves survival rates, urging Nigerians to participate in such initiatives. The government has committed to expanding the program, with similar screenings planned in other states to foster national health equity.
This development underscores Nigeria’s push for proactive healthcare measures amid rising non-communicable diseases.
“The screening focuses on vulnerable groups amid broader health challenges like Lassa fever outbreaks in Edo and Plateau.”
As reported by Punch Newspapers here, the ministry’s efforts are geared toward sustainable cancer care.