Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu: National Workshop on Population-based Cancer Registration in Nigeria

Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu shared a post on LinkedIn:

“Data is the cornerstone of effective health interventions. In 2022, GLOBOCAN reported 127,000 new cancer cases and 80,000 cancer-related deaths in Nigeria. These figures are based on estimates from three main cancer registries in Ekiti, Calabar, and Abuja. However, many newer registries are not captured in these statistics for various reasons.

This week, I had the honor of participating in the National Workshop on Population-based Cancer Registration, convened by the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), the African Cancer Registry Network (AFCRN), St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – ALSAC, and the IARC – International Agency for Research on Cancer / World Health Organization (IARC). At the closing ceremony, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to enhance the training of cancer registrars in Nigeria.

In a landmark resolution, I witnessed the Honorable Minister of State for Health, Tunji Alausa, declare cancer a notifiable disease in Nigeria. This classification indicates that cancer poses a “serious threat” to public health and must be immediately reported to government health authorities. This will have far-reaching effects on cancer data collection and management.

In 2020, we initiated two hospital-based cancer registries in Kebbi State. Although we are still collecting data, it is not captured by any national or international data system. Challenges such as transportation, lack of trained staff, and funding have greatly hindered operations and affected data quality. Additionally, we lost two directors to positions in Saudi Arabia/Ilorin.

I have made significant efforts to engage partners, with limited success. Nevertheless, my team and I remain determined. The missing link was a government coordinating unit. Therefore, I am relieved to see AFCRN Coordinator Max Parkin, IARC Surveillance Lead Freddie Bray, and St. Jude’s SSA Program Lead Ayo Omotola in Nigeria initiating this crucial process. Many states and civil society organizations have gathered cancer data, and these efforts can finally be consolidated.

Under the MoU, NICRAT and its partners will regularize, train, and strengthen the collection of cancer data. Despite being in existence for barely two years, the pace at which NICRAT has grown is truly remarkable, with leadership playing a pivotal role in this progress.

All stakeholders, including the leadership of Tunji Alausa and Usman Aliyu Malami, and we at Medicaid Cancer Foundation, along with First Ladies against Cancer and the Nigerian Cancer Society, continue to actively support and align with these programs.

It was a pleasure meeting all our partners, including Freddie Bray, the winner of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) 2023 Outstanding Contribution to Cancer award.

Beyond this event, we can continue to make strides towards a more comprehensive and accurate cancer registration in Nigeria, which will ultimately improve cancer care and outcomes for all.”

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).

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.