By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

The Chief Medical Director of the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, Brig.-Gen. Godwin Ogoh, has said the hospital is ready to partner with Hassy’s Haven Foundation to strengthen cancer awareness, early detection, and screening programmes across communities.

Ogoh made this known during a courtesy visit by the Founder of the foundation, Mrs Hussaina Yakubu, to the hospital in Kaduna.

He stressed that prevention and early detection remain the most effective ways of reducing the burden of cancer, particularly breast and cervical cancers, which continue to cause many deaths due to late presentation.

According to him, many women are unaware of routine breast self-examination and often present for treatment only when the disease is already advanced.

“Treating cancer is expensive, and prevention is always better than cure. One of the most important things organisations can do is educate women on how to examine their breasts regularly,” he said.

Ogoh recalled cases where breast cancer diagnoses were delayed because symptoms were mistaken for breastfeeding-related changes, leading to late-stage detection.

He called for sustained public enlightenment through community outreach, radio programmes, and social media campaigns to improve awareness.

The CMD also encouraged women, especially those at risk of cervical cancer, to undergo regular Pap smear screening, describing it as vital for early detection and prevention.

He assured the foundation of the hospital’s readiness to support community-based screening outreaches with medical personnel, diagnostic services, and laboratory analysis.

“If your organisation plans community outreaches, we can collaborate. We can deploy medical personnel, conduct screenings, take samples for Pap smears, analyse them and provide results and follow-up recommendations,” he said.

Ogoh noted that cancer treatment is often financially burdensome, with costs running into millions of naira, adding that early diagnosis significantly improves survival rates and reduces expenses.

Earlier, the Founder of Hassy’s Haven Foundation, Mrs Hussaina Yakubu, said the organisation was established in memory of her late twin sister, Hassana, who battled cancer for eight years before her death.

She said the experience inspired the foundation’s focus on awareness, early detection, patient support, and healthcare advocacy.

Yakubu explained that the visit aimed to explore collaboration with the hospital in cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment support, and community outreach.

She specifically sought partnership in cervical and breast cancer screening, including Pap smears, pathology services, and outreach programmes for vulnerable groups.

“We believe that through strategic partnerships such as this, we can intensify cancer awareness, encourage early detection, reduce preventable deaths and provide hope to those affected by cancer,” she said.

She expressed optimism that the collaboration would improve access to screening services and strengthen the fight against cancer in Kaduna State.