Ogun Unveils Free Breast Cancer Screening Clinic, Plans for 10,000 Women

Ogun State Government has unveiled a new free Breast Cancer Screening Clinic at Oba Ademola Hospital in Abeokuta, marking a significant milestone in the fight against cancer in Nigeria. This facility, the second of its kind in the country, aims to provide early detection services to women across the state, with plans to screen up to 10,000 women free of charge.

Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, while commissioning the clinic on Tuesday, pledged strong budgetary support from his administration to enhance cancer awareness, early diagnosis, and treatment programs within Ogun State. He emphasized the critical importance of early cancer detection in saving lives, asserting that cancer does not discriminate by status or wealth, making proactive screening measures essential.

“Nothing can be more proactive than ensuring all hands are on deck for early detection and treatment, as some cancer variants are treatable if discovered early,” Governor Abiodun said. He assured that the state government would collaborate closely with stakeholders and encourage private companies within Ogun to contribute through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives by establishing cancer awareness and treatment centers.

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The governor also revealed the state’s intention to integrate cancer screening into the Ogun State Health Insurance Scheme, aiming to make these services accessible to a broader population, including those in underserved rural communities. Beyond the Abeokuta clinic, the government plans to establish additional screening centers in various local government areas, bringing vital services closer to women living outside urban centers.

The clinic’s donation by Roche Healthcare, represented by General Manager Dr. Ladipo Hammed, was warmly commended by Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, the Ogun State First Lady. Together with partners including Mrs. Chioma Uzodimma, wife of the Imo State governor, and Dr. Zainab Bagudu—wife of the Minister of Budget and National Planning and President-elect of the Union for International Cancer Control—the initiative forms part of a broader campaign to raise cancer awareness, provide advocacy, and support affected patients.

Dr. Tomi Coker, Commissioner for Health in Ogun State, lauded the state government and its partners for the commendable initiative, pledging ongoing awareness campaigns and ensuring the clinic’s effective utilization. Nigeria faces a challenging cancer burden with an estimated 128,000 new cases and 80,000 deaths annually, with breast and cervical cancers dominating among women. Delayed diagnoses and limited healthcare infrastructure remain key hurdles, against which strategic plans like Nigeria’s 2023-2027 Strategic Cancer Control Plan seek to make an impact.

Mrs. Uzodimma underscored the importance of sustained advocacy and called for the institutionalization of cancer awareness and screening within national health policies. Roche Healthcare reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s healthcare system, emphasizing that early detection is vital to lowering cancer mortality rates.

This initiative signals renewed hope in Ogun’s fight against cancer, harnessing government commitment, public-private partnerships, and community outreach to save lives through early detection and timely treatment.