Health
Over 200 IDPs Benefit from NCFRMI, Cormode Cancer Foundation Cancer Awareness Initiative for women, Girls in FCT
By Joel Ajayi
More than 200 internally displaced persons (IDPs) participated in a cancer awareness campaign organized by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) in collaboration with the Cormode Cancer Foundation. The initiative aimed to educate young people about cancer prevention and early detection.
During the awareness program held for IDP women and girls at the Durumi IDP camp, Tijani Aliyu, the Federal Commissioner for the Commission, emphasized that the initiative would enhance the health and well-being of displaced persons, reduce the stigma associated with cancer, and empower young people to become advocates for cancer awareness.
“When you provide information, you provide knowledge for the younger generation at an early stage, which means 50% of the problem is being solved,” Aliyu stated. “That’s why we have chosen to focus on children. Cancer is a deadly disease, and this awareness initiative aims to equip young people with the understanding they need about what cancer is.”
He added, “I hope the knowledge we impart today will help our children better understand cancer. We will not stop here; we have over 100 campaigns across the nation, and we will ensure that IDPs and refugees benefit from this opportunity.”
Aliyu commended the Cormode Cancer Foundation for their partnership, which aligns with the Commission’s goal of improving the health and well-being of displaced persons.
“We are delighted to partner with the Cormode Cancer Foundation to address the critical issue of cancer awareness in our IDP camps and host communities. By educating the youth about cancer, we aim to foster a healthier future and reduce the stigma associated with this disease.”
He, however said that the commission will not spare any resources toward well being of IDPs, Refugees in the Country: “We are not going to stop here,we have more than 100 IDPs across the nations, we will make sure that we cover all to ensure the IDPs and Refuge benefit from this opportunity.”
In her address, Dr. Denise Ejoh, founder of the Cormode Cancer Foundation, explained that the project is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer, particularly in vulnerable communities. “If we don’t teach children early about cancer, who will inform them when they or their communities are affected? Currently, one in two people will be diagnosed with cancer worldwide,” she remarked.
Dr. Ejoh continued, “This campaign is now a global initiative, encouraging better knowledge of cancer among everyone. If you teach children, they will educate their parents. Teaching children about cancer can significantly improve their ability to recognize it early if it arises in their lives.”
During the event, the Cormode Foundation launched the Cormode Cancer Champions Clubs in secondary schools across the country to further educate young people about cancer prevention and early detection. Dr. Ejoh revealed that the clubs will serve as platforms for disseminating critical information, providing emotional support, and fostering a community of informed and proactive individuals.
Health
Experts call for pharma sector harmonisation
Health sector experts have called for the harmonisation of pharmaceutical activities in Nigeria to eliminate duplication, enhance efficiency, and improve access to quality medicines and health products.
The call was made on Wednesday in Abuja during a high-level stakeholders’ engagement focused on aligning efforts under the Improving Access to Medicines through Policy and Technical Support (IMPACT) project.
Dr Tayo Hamzat, Supply Chain Management Officer at the World Health Organisation (WHO), said the engagement was timely, considering the number of ongoing but uncoordinated interventions in the sector.
“Harmonisation will lead to faster access to health products, lower costs, improved efficiency, and better regulatory oversight.
“It requires collaboration and a focus on strengthening national systems.”
He described Nigeria’s pharmaceutical system as “robust and huge” but hindered by weak coordination and fragmented management structures.
Dr Francis Ohanyido, Director-General of the West Africa Institute of Public Health, said such collaboration was “common sense” given limited development financing and the need to optimise resources.
“Market shaping is a critical tool.
“Harmonisation can help us identify clear gaps we need to fill, especially in preparation for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),” he said.
Dr Anthony Ayeke, Programme Manager for Health and Nutrition at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting a resilient, locally driven pharmaceutical sector.
“Harmonisation can accelerate local production, reduce import dependency, and improve healthcare system resilience,” he noted.
He also recommended regulatory streamlining, value chain capacity building, innovation, and public-private partnerships.
Dr Abdu Mukhtar, National Coordinator of the Pharmaceutical Value Chain Transformation Committee (PVAC), commended ongoing efforts under the IMPACT project.
Represented by Dr Muhammad Balarabe, Technical Associate at PVAC, he emphasised the committee’s focus on catalysing local production and attracting sustainable investment.
“Let’s use this platform to strengthen partnerships and align interventions with the vision of affordable, high-quality healthcare for all Nigerians,” he said.
Dr Obi Adigwe, Director-General of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), said fragmented interventions and redundant regulations had long stunted growth in the sector.
Represented by Prof. Philip Builders, Professor of Pharmaceutics at NIPRD he said: “Equitable access to quality medicine is the foundation of universal healthcare.
“The lack of access is not just a health issue; it’s about equity, national security, and economic survival.
“Harmonisation isn’t just about avoiding duplication; it’s about aligning policy, investment, and technical frameworks to achieve measurable results.”
He urged stakeholders to develop practical short, medium, and long-term strategies to make Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector self-reliant, globally competitive, and able to meet national healthcare demands.
The meeting brought together key government agencies, development partners, and private sector actors, each reaffirming a shared commitment to a unified, efficient pharmaceutical ecosystem in Nigeria.
NAN
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