FG Launches Free Cancer Screening Initiative in Ebonyi

On Wednesday, the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by the Federal Ministry of Health, initiated a free cancer screening program in Ebonyi State, targeting the first 1,000 individuals. This initiative, led by Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof.

Mohammed Ali Pate, is part of a nationwide effort to mark the 2026 World Cancer Day. The program aims to address the significant cancer mortality rate in Nigeria, which accounts for nearly 10,000 deaths annually.

The ministry plans to provide treatment for patients diagnosed during the screenings, emphasizing early detection to save lives and reduce financial burdens on families. The event also included remarks from Mr.

Daju Kachollom, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, and Chief Francis Nwifuru, the Governor of Ebonyi State, who expressed support for the initiative. The program will focus on three common cancers: breast, cervical, and prostate, and aims to create a comprehensive cancer network across the nation.