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During a High-Level Regional Seminar on Cancer Awareness and Advocacy with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Members, First Lady Dr. Fatima Maada Bio delivered a powerful speech that resonated with attendees.
The theme of the seminar, “Innovative Approaches to Cancer Prevention and Early Detection,” set the stage for crucial discussions and collaborative efforts to address the growing cancer crisis in African nations.
The seminar, hosted by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, convened dignitaries such as Turkey’s First Lady, Emine Erdoğan, Her Excellency Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, the First Lady of the Republic of the Gambia, Mr. Rafael Mariano Grossi, the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, along with key stakeholders, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and advocates from OIC member states. Together, they deliberated on innovative approaches to cancer prevention, early detection, and advocacy.
In her address, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio expressed gratitude to the First Lady of Nigeria for convening this important gathering of first ladies from across the continent. She emphasized the urgency of the situation, highlighting that cancer has emerged as one of the top three causes of premature death. Her call to intensify efforts for the well-being of people across Africa struck a chord, igniting a sense of responsibility and unity among participants.
She emphasized the profound impact of cancer diagnoses not only on patients but also on their loved ones and communities. Highlighting the alarming statistics from the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s Global Cancer Report of 2022, which estimated over 47,000 new cases of cancer in Sierra Leone alone, particularly focusing on breast and cervical cancers.
In response to this pressing health challenge, she highlighted President Bio’s government’s proactive steps, including engaging in collaborative efforts with international partners on capacity building, developing a national cancer control policy, and enacting crucial legislation such as the Tobacco and Nicotine Control Act of 2022.
She also disclosed that President Bios government has demonstrated strong political will by initiating the establishment of a state-of-the-art cancer therapy centre, where visibility and structural design have been completed, and is now working with the IAEA to commence construction, aiming to provide optimal treatment and support to cancer patients.
Her Excellency also highlighted her office’s ongoing collaborations with organizations like the Mack Foundation, which has facilitated the training of 40 doctors in cancer treatment and palliative care. Her office’s interventions have extended to providing assistance to cancer patients for treatment abroad, emphasizing the importance of accessible and quality healthcare services.
In conclusion, Dr.Fatima Maada Bio called for unity and concerted efforts, emphasizing that action must be taken collectively by Africans to combat cancer effectively. Her impassioned plea underscores the critical need for collaborative strategies, innovative solutions, and unwavering determination in the fight against cancer in Sierra Leone and across the continent.
Credit:
Strategic Communications Division,
Office Of The First Lady,
Republic Of Sierra Leone.
