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Poor Healthcare Infrastructure Delays Early Detection Of Cervical Cancer

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Mr Roberto Taboada, Network Lead of Anglo West Africa at Roche Diagnostics, disclosed during a Zoom interview on Friday that “poor healthcare infrastructure, limited access to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) screening, poor awareness, and financial constraints, among others, are some of the primary barriers to early detection and treatment of cervical cancer in Nigeria.”

Taboada explained that many women, especially in rural areas, struggle to access screening due to a shortage of healthcare facilities offering HPV-DNA testing. Cultural beliefs and misinformation further discourage women from seeking screening, while financial constraints make regular check-ups unaffordable for many.

“HPV testing is crucial for cervical cancer prevention, yet awareness remains low, and stigma prevents many from getting tested,” he said. “Expanding access to self-sampling kits, integrating HPV screening into routine healthcare, and increasing awareness through targeted outreach can help improve testing rates.

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On improving HPV vaccination rates, Taboada stressed the need to address vaccine availability, misinformation, and healthcare infrastructure gaps. He noted that many parents are unaware of the vaccine or fear its side effects due to misinformation. Inconsistent vaccine supply in healthcare facilities further complicates efforts, but public education campaigns, school-based vaccination programmes, and partnerships with private healthcare providers could boost uptake.

“Breaking societal taboos,” he added, “requires a multi-faceted approach involving community leaders, religious organisations, and healthcare professionals. Public awareness campaigns should use trusted messengers to provide accurate information about HPV and cervical cancer. Schools and organisations must incorporate reproductive health rls can make informed decisions.”

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Taboada called for nationwide HPV screening programme implementation, integrating cervical cancer screening into maternal health services, and sustainable funding for vaccination and treatment. He also emphasised the importance of training healthcare providers on HPV screening and using digital outreach technologies to increase participation.

READ ALSO: HPV Vaccine: UNICEF Targets 400,000 Girls In Bauchi

Adding urgency to the matter, Taboada also called for the Nigerian government to adopt the World Health Organization’s (WHO) August 2020 resolution to eliminate cervical cancer. This strategy aims for:

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90% of girls to be vaccinated by age 15.
70% of women to be screened with a high-quality test by age 45.
90% of women with cervical cancer to receive treatment.

With cervical cancer being the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Nigerian women, the resolution is essential for improving healthcare outcomes and reducing the disease’s mortality rate.

By addressing these issues and aligning efforts with global strategies, Nigeria can significantly reduce the burden of cervical cancer, saving lives and improving the overall health of women across the country.

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Investing in cervical cancer prevention, he noted, reduces the economic burden on families and the healthcare system by preventing costly late-stage treatments. “Women are a vital part of the workforce, particularly in agriculture and small businesses, so their health directly impacts economic productivity,” he said. “Preventing cervical cancer also supports gender equality by ensuring women can fully participate in social and economic activities.”

He stressed that government and private sector collaboration is essential to expanding screening and vaccination access. Private healthcare providers can offer subsidised HPV testing and treatment, while pharmaceutical companies can work to lower vaccine costs. International organisations, he added, could provide funding, technical support, and advocacy to strengthen Nigeria’s cervical cancer prevention efforts.

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Mobile clinics, community health workers, and self-sampling kits could further improve screening access in remote areas, while telemedicine could help educate and guide women through the process. “Government investment in rural healthcare infrastructure and targeted outreach programs can bridge the gap,” he said.

Regular HPV screening, early treatment, and widespread vaccination, Taboada concluded, can save lives. “Policymakers must prioritise smart funding and infrastructure allocation, healthcare professionals must encourage testing, and women must take charge of their health by getting screened and vaccinated.”

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VIDEO: Why I’ve Never Tried Convincing My Christian Wife To Convert To Islam — Tinubu

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has explained why he has never attempted to convince his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, to convert to Islam, stressing his belief in love, religious freedom, and mutual respect among people of different faiths.

Speaking on Saturday at the funeral service of Nana Lydia Yilwatda, mother of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwada, Tinubu said his marriage to a Christian pastor has never created any conflict in their home.

The president, who arrived in Jos, Plateau State around 2 p.m. for the ceremony at the COCIN headquarters church, said he inherited Islam from his family and has always upheld the principle of freedom of religion.

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READ ALSO:Benin Monarch To Tinubu’s Daughter: Do You Know Role Of Iyeki In Benin Culture?

He noted that both he and the First Lady serve the same God and would ultimately be answerable to Him, adding that what matters most are people’s deeds, character, and love for others.

Tinubu urged Nigerians to embrace tolerance and peaceful coexistence, emphasising that hate should never have a place in the country.

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He also prayed for the repose of the soul of the late Lydia Yilwada and asked God to grant comfort and blessings to those she left behind.

READ ALSO:Tinubu Appoints New Heads For Key Agencies

He said, “Hate is not an option for us. Love is what you preach, that we should love one another.

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“Nobody, nobody determines what God has ordained. God’s ordained action and his promises are what matter. I inherited Islam from my family. I didn’t change. But my wife is a pastor. She prays for me.

“No conflict. And I never did at any single time try to convince her or convert her. I believe in the freedom of religion.

“We are praying to the same God. We are answerable to the same almighty God. We will answer to him. We will account to him. Our deeds, our character, our love for our fellow beings are what are important.

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“May the almighty accept the soul of Lydia and give all that she left behind blessings and glory, so we say, may her soul rest in peace.”

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UK Police Quiz Six After Fatal Synagogue Attack

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Six people arrested on suspicion of “terrorism”-linked offences after a fatal car-ramming and knife attack on a UK synagogue remained in police custody on Saturday, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged people not to take part in pro-Palestinian protests.

Two people were killed and three others seriously wounded in Thursday’s attack in northwestern Manchester on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.

Police shot dead the assailant, Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old UK citizen of Syrian descent, within minutes of the alarm being raised.

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Three men and three women are in custody.

The attack has heightened fear among Britain’s Jewish community.

Police said they were patrolling places of worship across the city “with a particular focus on providing a high-visibility presence within our Jewish communities”.

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READ ALSO:US On Brink Of Govt Shutdown With Funding Talks Stalled

The attack on Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in north Manchester was one of the worst antisemitic incidents in Europe since the October 7, 2023, attack in Israel led by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.

The Hamas attack resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.

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Israel’s retaliatory offensive on the Gaza Strip has killed at least 66,288 Palestinians, also mostly civilians, according to health ministry figures in the occupied territory that the United Nations considers reliable.

The Gaza conflict has inflamed passions in Britain, with frequent pro-Palestinian rallies in cities that some critics allege have stoked antisemitism.

A “global movement for Gaza UK” protest went ahead in London late on Thursday, with police making 40 arrests.

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London’s Metropolitan Police asked organisers delay another planned demonstration backing the banned Palestine Action group later on Saturday.

However, organisers Defend Our Juries rejected the calls.

READ ALSO:US Faces ‘War From Within’, Trump Tells Generals

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A spokesman said the group “stood in solidarity” with the Jewish community over the attack.

– Accidental shooting –

Starmer urged protesters not to join the pro-Palestinian rally.

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“I urge anyone thinking about protesting this weekend to recognise and respect the grief of British Jews. This is a moment of mourning. It is not a time to stoke tension and cause further pain,” he said on X.

During the attack, Shamie was seen “with a big knife, banging his knife into the glass, trying to get through”, synagogue chairman of trustees Alan Levy, who helped barricade the doors, told ITV News.

“The heroes of the congregation who saw what was happening then came to the doors because he was trying to break the doors down to get in,” he added.

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A UK police watchdog, meanwhile, said it would look at the police shooting of Shamie.

The probe would also look at the shooting of a second victim who suffered a fatal gunshot and a third person who was shot but survived.

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The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said there was no evidence anyone other than police used firearms at the scene.

“Our independent investigation will look at the circumstances surrounding the fatal police shooting of Jihad Al-Shamie,” it said in a statement.

“A post mortem has today (Friday) concluded another man who died at the scene suffered a fatal gunshot wound.”

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IOPC investigations are standard practice in situations where the use of force by police may have resulted in the death of a member of the public.

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Edo Inaugurates Committee On Drug Abuse, Healthy Living

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L-R: ACGN, NDLEA, Fidelis Cocodia, Deputy Governor of Edo State, Hon. Dennis Idahosa and Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edo State, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani during the Inauguration

Edo State Government has inaugurated Drug Control Committee for the state and local governments, aimed at curbing the menace of drug abuse in the state.

Inaugurating the committee, Governor Monday Okpehbolo said the committee was not only saddled with the responsibility of curbing the menace of illicit substances, but to promote healthier living across communities in the state.

Represented by his deputy, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, Okpebholo described the initiative as “a vital step in our unwavering commitment to stopping the menace of drug trafficking and substance use among youths.”

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The governor, who bemoaned the rising tide of drug dependency and its impact on society, pointed out that the committee’s creation aligns with the national drug master plan and represents a bold stride toward protecting Edo future generations.

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On his part, Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, represented by ACGN, Fidelis Cocodia, Zonal Commander, Zone 13, emphasised grassroots interventions, awareness campaigns, and support systems as the backbone of the fight against drug abuse.

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Edo State commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju disclosed that while national drug use prevalence stands at 14.4 percent, Edo state surpasses the average at 15 percent.

He noted that the state is one of the hardest-hit states in the country, warning that the trend has fueled crime and heightened youth vulnerability.

READ ALSO:Idahosa Lauds Edo Specialist Hospital Facilities

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The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole pledged to make Edo a model in drug control through rehabilitation, youth enlightenment, and second-chance opportunities for recovering addicts.

Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edo State, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, described drug abuse as a pandemic, noting that “you hardly see a crime without drugs being involved.”

She added that women’s empathy and influence must be harnessed in the campaign against drug abuse.

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