Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu shared on LinkedIn:

“Engaging Abuja’s health department.
I am thrilled to share the news of an exciting collaboration between our MEDICAID CANCER FOUNDATION and Medicaid Radiology
on one hand and FCT Health Services on the other; aimed at enhancing cancer care and diagnostic services in Abuja.

We mapped out a plan with Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, the Mandate Secretary for Health Services in the Federal Capital Territory, alongside Dr. Babagana Adam, the Permanent Secretary of the FCT Health Services, Mrs. Adedayo Benjamins Laniyi, FCT Women Affairs Mandate Secretary, Mr Akin Tayo, the desk officer for City Cancer Challenge
as well as the FCT Directors of Public Health and epidemiology on Friday, 19th April 2024.

Using sustainable strategies, we will collaborate to strengthen cancer care across the spectrum of awareness and prevention, screening, treatment, and end-of-life care.

As members of the task force that made the successful bid for Abuja to join the City Cancer Challenge network, and now members of the city executive council, we have the common burden to create a resilient cancer ecosystem that is built on the peculiarities of the city and draws on its strengths as the Nigeria’s capital.

At the core of our collaboration, is Medicaid’s experience from 16 years of operations in Abuja, the vast existing networks and relationships built, at grassroots, community, and hospital levels. Notably, our annual walk away cancer event, has grown over 12 years to be Abuja’s largest walk and cancer awareness event. Medicaid organizations also carry out health outreaches in surrounding villages and regularly provide cancer patients with funds, palliatives and phsychological support.

I told her about my first job when I returned to Nigeria after my postgraduate training which was with Garki Hospital, one of 14 under her mandate. Garki Hospital was being managed as a PPP between the FCT and Nisa Hospitals. I was tasked with the responsibility of setting up and running the hospital’s paediatric unit. The model was meant to be replicated across the capital. Unfortunately, this is still the only PPP existing in Abuja. A second one with the Indian Primus group, has since been abandoned. The despondent state of all the others begs us to reason that, more of such home grown partnerships are needed to adequately fund and operate the others at a decent and humane level.

I was very encouraged by the response of Dr Fasawe. Working with government can be wrought with bureaucratic obstacles, thus her obvious enthusiasm to make a difference in the city’s health landscape is refreshingly welcome.

Furthermore, as women, who are both tasked with leading our institutions, we formed an immediate bond and I look forward to the actualization of our plans.

Together, we are improving cancer care and also establishing a model for effective partnership in addressing healthcare challenges in the FCT and Nigeria as a whole.”

Source: Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu/LinkedIn

Her Excellency Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu is the First Lady of Kebbi State, a global cancer advocate, a pediatrician, a UICC Board Member, a Founder of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation, and the Chairperson of First Ladies Against Cancer (FLAC), a coalition of the spouses of current and former state governors in Nigeria who are working to address gaps in the cancer continuum of care. In her role as the First Lady of Kebbi State, Dr Bagudu is working with the state ministries of health, education, and women affairs to implement programs to sustainably improve menstrual hygiene, girl-child education, economic empowerment of women, and put an end to gender-based violence. Her Excellency is a member of the Editorial Board of OncoDaily.

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