Abba Hamisu In a bold move to combat the escalating cancer crisis in Nigeria, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPC Ltd) has announced the launch of a free nationwide cancer screening campaign through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm, the NNPC Foundation. The campaign, dubbed “Cancer Awareness and ZSX Screening,” aims to provide critical cancer screenings for 3,000 indigent Nigerians, focusing on breast, cervical, and prostate cancer. Slated to begin soon, the campaign will be a lifeline for under-resourced communities, offering not only screenings but also health education sessions, workshops, and one-on-one consultations with healthcare professionals. In a statement signed by Olufemi O. Soneye Chief Corporate Communications Officer NNPC Ltd expressed that the additional resources will empower participants to recognize early symptoms and adopt preventive health practices tools crucial to fighting the country’s high cancer mortality rate. He added that with screening centers in six key states Kaduna, Rivers, Ondo, Benue, Imo, and Gombe the initiative aims to bring early detection services closer to at-risk populations across Nigeria’s geo-political zones. He noted that collaborating with local health authorities and expert healthcare providers, the campaign represents NNPC Ltd’s commitment to addressing the root causes of late-stage cancer diagnoses, which often result from limited access to screening facilities and lingering cultural stigmas surrounding cancer. Mrs. Emmanuella Arukwe, Managing Director of NNPC Foundation, emphasized the campaign’s life-saving goals “The fight against cancer requires a collective effort and a commitment to ensuring accessible healthcare. This campaign is about more than just screening; it’s about saving lives, building awareness, and creating pathways to preventive care for Nigerians who need it most.” Quoting World Health Organisation, she noted that in Nigeria, cancer remains a formidable public health challenge, claiming over 79,000 lives each year. While stating that prostate and liver cancers are the most prevalent among Nigerian men, she added that breast and cervical cancers impact women disproportionately. “With early detection known to significantly improve survival rates, the NNPC Foundation’s initiative could become a beacon of hope for countless families affected by cancer.” She added The upcoming campaign follows the success of a similar screening drive held in Abuja in February 2024, where more than 200 residents received free screenings. Reflecting NNPC Ltd’s broader mission of health equity and national well-being, this large-scale effort underscores the company’s dedication to transforming healthcare access across Nigeria. This nationwide initiative reaffirms NNPC Ltd’s commitment to improving lives and tackling health disparities, ensuring that even the most underserved communities can access life-saving screenings and preventive healthcare.
