KATSINA, Nigeria — The First Lady of Katsina State, Zulaihat Dikko Umaru Radda, has launched the One-Stop Katsina Cervical Cancer Screening Initiative, a programme aimed at providing free cervical cancer screening and treatment for 500 women across the state.
The initiative, unveiled in Katsina on Tuesday, seeks to promote the early detection and prevention of cervical cancer while supporting medical research through partnerships with local and international institutions.
Initiative targets early detection
Speaking at the launch, Mrs. Radda described the programme as a major step toward reducing the burden of cervical cancer, stressing that the disease is largely preventable when detected and treated early.
She said the programme reflects the state’s commitment to protecting the health of women through improved access to life-saving screening services.
“Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in our collective effort to protect the lives and health of our mothers, wives, sisters and daughters from one of the most preventable forms of cancer—cervical cancer,” she said.
Governor commended for healthcare support
The First Lady praised Governor Dikko Umaru Radda for prioritising healthcare delivery and creating an environment that encourages partnerships aimed at improving medical services across the state.
She also welcomed Professor Sophia Hilary George of the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, describing the collaboration as an important opportunity to strengthen cancer research and women’s healthcare in Katsina.
According to Mrs. Radda, the programme grew out of a Summer Research Grant awarded to Dr. Fatima Abubakar Rasheed, a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, who is also pursuing a PhD at the University of Miami under Professor George’s supervision.
She said the grant had evolved into an international partnership bringing advanced research, innovation and cervical cancer prevention services to women in Katsina State.
Building on previous health interventions
Mrs. Radda noted that the initiative builds on previous efforts to improve women’s healthcare in the state.
She recalled that her office partnered with the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Katsina State chapter, to sponsor treatment for 20 women diagnosed with breast cancer, covering procedures including mastectomy, histology and molecular testing.
She also said the new programme follows the success of an earlier “See-and-Treat” cervical cancer outreach conducted at the Maternal and Child Health Centre in Kofar Marusa.
The First Lady expressed hope that the collaboration with the University of Miami would create additional opportunities for research, innovation and improved cancer prevention services in the future.
She urged eligible women to take advantage of the free screening programme while calling on husbands, traditional rulers, religious leaders and other community stakeholders to encourage women to participate.
“No woman should lose her life to a disease that is preventable through early detection and timely treatment,” she said.
Screening and treatment provided free
Earlier, Dr. Rasheed explained that participants would undergo comprehensive cervical cancer screening, including HPV DNA testing, Liquid-Based Cytology, vaginal microbiome analysis, and selected genetic studies as part of ongoing medical research.
She added that women diagnosed with pre-cancerous cervical lesions during the exercise would receive free treatment at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, with funding provided by the Office of the First Lady.
Mrs. Radda also acknowledged the contributions of the George Laboratory, the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Center for Global Black Studies, and the Transatlantic Gynaecological Cancer Research Consortium for supporting the initiative.
Health experts say regular cervical cancer screening remains one of the most effective ways to detect abnormal cell changes before they develop into cancer, significantly improving treatment outcomes and reducing preventable deaths.
Katsina First Lady Launches Free Cervical Cancer Screening Programme for 500 Women
