Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu: Empowering Women’s Health – Unveiling Narratives, Overcoming Barriers

Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu shared a post on LinkedIn:

“At the 2024 Concordia Annual Summit, themed ‘Navigating a New Era,’ I had the pleasure of joining the lovely Felicia Marie Knaul from the University of Miami and Elisabeth Staudinger from Siemens Healthineers to discuss ‘Empowering Women’s Health: Unveiling Narratives, Overcoming Barriers.’ Now in its 14th year, the summit brings together global leaders to address key issues.

Drawing from my experience as the Founder of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation, working mainly in a low- and middle-income country, I shared how we have implemented strategies focused on access, advocacy, and patient support through various programs like our Patient Access to Care Program (PACE), Walk Away Cancer and Community gatekeepers initiative.

The discussion also highlighted barriers such as poor education, lack of awareness, infrastructure gaps, cultural stigmas, and limited access to cancer care facilities.

We delved into the role of digital tools in expanding access to care, particularly through educational initiatives, reminders, and dispelling misconceptions. Integrating AI into diagnostics and treatment, and utilizing telemedicine to reach underserved populations were also mentioned by Elisabeth and I.

We concluded with the importance of cross-sector collaboration—among public, private, and civil society stakeholders—to shape policies and fund initiatives that can make a real impact.

This discussion reinforced my belief in the power of partnerships and innovation to enhance cancer care for women globally.

Kudos to Concordia for creating a platform that brings together influential leaders from across sectors to foster dialogue and partnerships. It was an honor to meet two great women, each playing a vital role in addressing challenges in cancer, whilst driving social impact.

It was a vibrant and well attended session. Thank you to all that stopped by.”

Source: Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu/LinkedIn

Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu is a global cancer advocate, a pediatrician, a UICC Board Member,  Founder of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation, and the Chairperson of First Ladies Against Cancer (FLAC). 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. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu is a member of the Editorial Board of OncoDaily