The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) is working to integrate cancer prevention and screening into family planning services in Kebbi State.
On Thursday in Birnin Kebbi, NICRAT hosted a stakeholder engagement meeting that brought together officials from the Ministry of Health, the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, community and traditional leaders, civil society organizations, development partners, and health professionals.
Speaking at the event, NICRAT representative Zainab Ahmad highlighted the goal of improving early cancer detection by using the wide reach of family planning programs at the primary healthcare level.
“Cancer is a growing public health challenge in Nigeria, often detected too late due to limited awareness and access to screening services,” Ahmad said. “Family planning platforms provide a strategic opportunity to offer cancer prevention, screening, and referral services, particularly for women.”
The integration initiative is part of NICRAT’s NICE-SCAN Programme, implemented in partnership with federal and state health ministries and other organizations. Ahmad said it aims to strengthen primary healthcare systems and generate evidence for a possible national rollout.
Ishak Lawal, NICRAT’s state lead for the pilot program, emphasized the importance of collaboration with stakeholders for effective and sustainable implementation. Lawal, a consultant gynecologist, said the institute is preparing to pilot the integrated services in Kebbi, and stakeholder engagement is a key step in the project’s success.
“The success of this pilot depends largely on the commitment and ownership of state actors and community leaders,” Lawal said.
Hauwa Muhammed, the state family planning focal person, noted challenges in current services, including poor documentation, frequent stock-outs of family planning commodities, irregular supply of consumables, and limited supportive supervision.
Stakeholders at the meeting expressed strong support for the initiative, describing it as an important step toward improving preventive healthcare and reducing late-stage cancer cases in Kebbi State.
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