By Khalid Idris Doya
Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria
November 16, 2025
Over 1,000 women have been screened for breast and cervical cancers in Alkaleri local government area of Bauchi State, as part of a health outreach programme organised by the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) and the Medical Women's Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Bauchi State Chapter.
The screening exercise, which was held at General Hospital Alkaleri, is part of a regional programme sponsored by the NEDC, covering all six North-East states.
"Breast and cervical cancers are major public health concerns and leading causes of illness and death among women globally and in Nigeria," Dr. Ummahani Jafaru, President of MWAN Bauchi and a specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, said.
Dr. Ummahani explained that the programme aims to educate women and children about diseases that affect them, and to provide screening services to detect breast and cervical cancers early.
"In Nigeria, out of about 12,000 cervical cancer cases recorded every year, nearly 8,000 women die. Globally, a woman dies from cervical cancer every two minutes. This is why there is a global commitment to reduce these deaths through prevention, early diagnosis, and timely treatment," she said.
The World Health Organisation's 90-70-90 targets for addressing cervical cancer were highlighted, which include vaccinating 90% of girls against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), screening 70% of women at ages 35 and 45 using high-precision methods, and treating 90% of women diagnosed with cervical disease.
Mohammed Amir Ali, the Health Desk Officer in the Bauchi office of NEDC, said the Commission embarked on the screening due to rising cancer cases across the region.
"Breast and cervical cancers are preventable and curable, especially when detected early. Our aim is to close the gap in access to screening and ensure every woman has the opportunity to safeguard her health," he stated.
Some beneficiaries, including Fatima Adamu and Hajara Yakubu, expressed appreciation to the NEDC and MWAN for bringing the screening exercise to their community.
Dr. Habiba Isma'il of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) emphasised the importance of early detection, teaching participants how to perform breast self-examinations and urging regular Pap smear or VIA screenings.
"Early detection saves lives. If cancer is diagnosed early, it can be cured. But when we delay, our options become limited," she warned.
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Healthcare