Katsina Launches ‘One-Stop’ Initiative Against Cervical Cancer

Katsina State government, in collaboration with local and international partners, has unveiled an ambitious “One-Stop Navigation Towards Elimination of Cervical Cancer” initiative to reduce the burden of one of Nigeria’s deadliest cancers affecting women.

The programme, launched in partnership with the Office of the First Lady, the Federal Teaching Hospital Katsina and international researchers led by Prof. Sophia George, seeks to revolutionise cervical cancer prevention through screening, diagnosis, treatment and research under a single coordinated platform.

The First Lady of Katsina State, Zulaihat Dikko Umaru Radda, launched the “One-Stop Katsina Cervical Cancer Screening Initiative”, to prevent cervical cancer through early detection, treatment and research.

At the flag-off, she said 500 eligible women would receive free cervical cancer screening. At the same time, those diagnosed with precancerous lesions would be sponsored for treatment at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina.

Mrs Radda credited the initiative to a research collaboration involving Sophia Hilary George, Dr Fatima Abubakar Rasheed and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, describing it as a product of investment in research and international partnerships.

She also praised the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria for its role in promoting women’s health.

She reaffirmed her commitment to cancer prevention through her membership in First Ladies Against Cancer.

The First Lady urged women to take advantage of the free screening programme. She called on families, religious leaders and traditional rulers to support the campaign, expressing hope that the initiative would strengthen healthcare collaboration between Katsina State and the University of Miami.

Presenting an overview of the initiative, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Fatima Rasheed described the project as both a professional mission and a deeply personal commitment.

“To me, this is much more than research or screening women. It is personal because I have seen women lose their lives in the prime of their lives, leaving behind children, families and communities that depend on them,” she said.

She explained that the initiative was inspired by knowledge and partnerships acquired during her academic training abroad, to ensure that “no woman dies from cervical cancer.”

According to the World Health Organisation, a woman dies from cervical cancer every two minutes globally, making it one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women, despite being one of the most preventable cancers.

Dr Rasheed noted that Nigeria carries one of the highest cervical cancer mortality rates in sub-Saharan Africa.

“Cervical cancer is one of the few cancers whose causes, progression and treatment are well understood. The challenge is that we are not doing enough, and we need innovative approaches to change the story,” she said.

Unlike the conventional healthcare approach, which requires patients to move between different facilities for screening, laboratory tests, and treatment, the new model brings all services together in one location.

“The healthcare system should be designed around the woman instead of asking the woman to navigate the healthcare system,” she added.

As part of the pilot programme, women will receive HPV DNA testing, Pap smear screening, immediate pathology review and prompt treatment for precancerous lesions at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina.

The project will also conduct extensive research into the strains of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) prevalent among Nigerian women.

Dr Rasheed disclosed that preliminary studies by her research team revealed unexpected findings regarding HPV strains circulating in the country, highlighting the need for local scientific evidence to guide vaccination and treatment strategies.

She also announced plans to introduce digital microscopy technology capable of producing near-instant Pap smear results, drastically reducing the current wait times, which stretch to several weeks.

According to her, delayed laboratory results often discourage women from returning for treatment, especially in communities affected by insecurity and poor access to healthcare.

“If successful, Katsina will make history. The findings will not only benefit Nigeria but could also be expanded to other countries across sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean,” she said.

The pilot phase will include community mobilisation, health education, registration, blood sample collection, cervical cancer screening and immediate evaluation of samples by consultant pathologists before treatment begins.

Dr Rasheed commended the Katsina State First Lady for pledging to sponsor treatment for women diagnosed during the pilot programme.

She stressed that eliminating cervical cancer requires collective action from healthcare workers, researchers, governments, traditional rulers, communities and families.

“Cervical cancer prevention is not a one-person responsibility. It is a war we must fight together. We need the nurses, doctors, scientists, traditional leaders, the community and importantly, the men to encourage women to seek healthcare.

“Our vision is that no woman should die from cervical cancer,” she said.

A professor and gynecologic oncologist, Prof. Sophia George, described the launch of the One-Stop Cervical Cancer Screening, Triage and Treatment Initiative as a historic milestone in the fight against cervical cancer. She said the programme integrates screening, diagnosis and treatment into a single hospital visit, eliminating delays that often cost women their lives.

She noted that the initiative is supported by years of scientific research, international partnerships and funding, with a focus on strengthening local healthcare capacity, training professionals and advancing cancer research.

Calling for collective action, Prof. George said the partners now have the tools, expertise and clinical pathways needed to ensure that no woman dies from a preventable cervical cancer.