The House of Representatives has reaffirmed its commitment to enact, repeal or amend laws aimed at eliminating cervical cancer and other forms of cancer in the country. This was the focus of a joint press briefing by the House Committee on Healthcare Services and the National Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination (NTF-CCE) to mark the 2024 World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day.

Chairman of the committee, Hon. Amos Magaji, said the 10th Assembly is pushing for stronger health financing, including the proposal to raise the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund from 1 per cent to 2 per cent. Magaji also addressed the resident doctors’ strike, saying the committee is in continuous talks with the union and the federal government to resolve longstanding demands. He said their role is to ensure any agreements, especially on remuneration, are captured in the budget and to help rebuild trust to prevent repeated strikes.

Chairman of NTF-CCE, Prof. Isaac Adewole, represented by Dr. Usman Waziri of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, said the taskforce will collaborate with the National Assembly to strengthen existing laws and introduce new regulations where necessary. 

The goal, he noted, is to ensure free screening for common cancers in all public health facilities. The Federal Government created the NTF-CCE in 2024 as a ministerial committee to coordinate national efforts toward cervical cancer elimination.