Former Kebbi first lady leads int’l medical groups to offer telehealth cancer care to Nigerians, Africans

The President-Elect of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and former Kebbi State First Lady, Dr Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, is leading an international health partnership to make cancer care accessible to Nigerians and Africans through telemedicine innovations and international collaborations.

The partners in the project, who recently made this known in Abuja, were the Medicaid Cancer Foundation, the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), WorldCare International, and Mobihealth International.

The partners stated that the essence of the partnership is to change the sad narratives of thousands of Africans who suffer or die every year from cancers that could have been treated if detected on time.

They attributed some of the reasons cancers are not detected early enough to specialists being too far away or expensive care and treatment.

The partners further stated that, in the course of the partnership, through Mobihealth’s advanced telemedicine platform, patients across Africa will gain virtual access to leading oncologists, while WorldCare’s global network of top United States and global academic medical centres will provide expert second opinions and personalised treatment plans.

Furthermore, the Medicaid Cancer Foundation will play a role in patient navigation and community awareness, ensuring that even those in the most remote areas receive the care they need.
Dr Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu ─ former First Lady of Kebbi State, founder of Medicaid Cancer Foundation, and UICC President-Elect ─ noted that cancer has been a death sentence for many Africans because they lack access to specialised care.

Dr Shinkafi-Bagudu added that the partnership is a major step in their fight to change that reality.

“By leveraging telemedicine and global expertise, we are breaking barriers and ensuring that patients, no matter where they live, can receive timely diagnoses, expert consultations, and the best possible treatment.

“No one should have to travel abroad or go bankrupt to fight cancer. This is about bringing the best of the world to our people, right where they are,” Dr Shinkafi-Bagudu said.

Dr Funmi Adewara, founder and CEO of Mobihealth International, said that telemedicine can democratise healthcare and that this partnership is proof of that.

“With a mobile device, computers or walk-in telehealth clinics, cancer patients in anywhere in Nigeria and Africa can now consult with some of the best oncologists and experts locally and globally, receive an expert second opinion, and get a precise treatment plan without the stress and cost of travel.

“This is a game-changer for healthcare in Africa, and we are proud to work alongside UICC, Medicaid, and WorldCare to make this a reality,” Dr Adewara said.

Dr Hassan Sharif, Chief Medical Officer and CEO of WorldCare, stated that managing cancer patients presents a significant challenge for healthcare strategists, adding “As a chronic disease with similar prevalence rates across different countries, it requires a substantial portion of the healthcare budget. Improving cancer care will lead to cost savings and increased population satisfaction.”

Ed Wiggers, President and COO of WorldCare, said they are proud to partner with Nigeria in a cancer programme that will combine the latest advancements in Pharmacogenomics and mental health support.

“For over 30 years, WorldCare has led in advanced virtual approaches to complex conditions like cancer. This collaboration highlights our dedication to improving cancer management and holistic care, addressing physical and mental health,” Wiggers added.

The partners, explaining how the partnership works, said it will involve telehealth access, global expertise, personalised cancer treatment, mental health support, and community outreach to serve Nigerians and Africans better.

They stressed that the essence of this call for action is a collective effort to save lives.

“This initiative is a call to action for governments, healthcare stakeholders, and donors to invest in innovative solutions that would reshape Africa’s cancer care landscape. With the right support, telemedicine and global partnerships can close the cancer treatment gap, saving countless lives,” they added.