Remi Tinubu donates N1bn to fight cervical cancer

Oluremi Tinubu, first lady of Nigeria, has donated N1 billion to the national cancer fund to support the fight against cervical cancer.

The first lady, while receiving a delegation of the national task taskforce on cervical cancer elimination led by Iziaq Salako, minister of state for health, said there is no need to be ashamed to seek help for those suffering from the disease.

“I am in support of what you are doing. We are on track, especially with the approach you have adopted: test, screen, vaccinate, and treat,” she said.

“No matter what wealth you have as a nation, if your population or majority of your population is sick, you are just the poorest as far as I am concerned.

“The theme for World Health Day this year, ‘Healthy beginnings: hopeful future,’ I believe is so apt for what we are doing here today. I believe you said most of my work is 70 percent in health.

“A healthy nation is a wealthy nation. No matter what wealth you have as a nation, if your population or majority of your population is sick, you are just the poorest as far as I am concerned.”

Salako expressed appreciation for the first lady’s support, which he said has enabled the immunisation of 12 million girls between the ages of 9 and 13 in the first nine months of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine introduction.

He said the ministry of health hopes to immunise six million girls this year.

Isaac Adewole, chairman of the task force on cervical cancer elimination, praised Tinubu for demonstrating uncommon political will by supporting the introduction of the HPV vaccine into the routine immunisation program.

He said with her support, the “8 by 8 target of immunising 8 million girls” every year can be achieved, thereby eliminating cervical cancer by 2030.

Walter Mulombo, the World Health Organisation (WHO) country representative, appealed to the first lady to lead the campaign, noting that every child and woman has a right to live.