Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu: I never underestimate value of teamwork

Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu shared a post on LinkedIn:

“As a CEO, I never underestimate value of teamwork and always strive to pass this message.

In 2018, We kicked off the PACE (patient access to cancer care) access program by partnering with Roche to treat patients with HER2+ breast cancer initially. Today, we have expanded to 4 other companies, offer 6 more drugs and over 400 patients have benefited from critical medications for breast, colorectal and other cancers, at a subsidized cost. Sadly, numbers are dropping in 2023.

How do we address the economic realities cancer patients face, as Naira depreciates daily, in the dollar denominated environment of drug manufacturing?

The financial toxicity of cancer is more dire than ever and we need insurance mechanisms to kick in across Africa and LMICs that are facing similar problems.

This formed a significant part of my discussion yesterday with a delegation from Roche Africa led by Maturin Tchoumi.

The impact of access programs like PACE goes beyond numbers. Its true value lies in the humanity it breeds. It’s a testimony of what we can achieve when we unite.

Thank you for the visit and we are ready to move forward to the next level.

Teamwork, makes the dream work.”

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.