Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has launched a colposcopy machine to combat cervical cancer in women through early detection and treatment.
Speaking during the commissioning and inspection of the machine, donated by Nordica Fertility Centre, Abuja, the Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr Dolapo Fasawe, said the colposcopy centre was the first in the FCT general hospitals and would also serve as a referral centre for all public and private hospitals within the FCT.

According to Fasawe cervical cancer is a major health concern in Nigeria and the centre provides an opportunity to ‘see and treat’ early changes in the cervix, helping to prevent cervical cancer.” She added: “Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women aged 15-44 years.”

The Mandate Secretary noted that in 2020, Nigeria recorded 12,000 new cases and 8,000 deaths, underscoring the urgency of addressing this issue. She commended the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for his dedication to improving healthcare through various initiatives, including advocacy for HPV vaccination to reduce the disease’s burden and protect women’s health

Fasawe thanked the Nordica Fertility Centre for the donation and called on other partners and organisations to support the government in building a more effective healthcare system.

In his remarks, the Medical Director of Wuse General Hospital, Dr OluseyiAshaolu announced that to encourage the use of the facility, the secretariat had approved free colposcopy services for all female staff of FCT general hospitals until January 2025.