44 Army Reference hospital, Hassy’s haven foundation seek partnership to boost cancer awareness, screening
By Hussaina Yakubu
June 10, 2026
The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, Brig.Gen. Godwin Ogoh, has expressed the hospital’s readiness to partner with Hassy’s Haven Foundation to strengthen cancer awareness, early detection and screening programmes across communities.
Ogoh stated this during a courtesy visit by the Founder of Hassy’s Haven Foundation, Ms Hussaina, to the hospital in Kaduna.
He said that prevention and early detection remained the most effective strategies in reducing the burden of cancer, particularly breast and cervical cancers, which continue to claim many lives due to late presentation.
According to him, many women in the society are unaware of the importance of routine breast self examination and often seek medical attention only when the disease has 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.
“If women learn to check their breasts and identify abnormalities early, it will go a long way in reducing late presentations and improving treatment outcomes,” he said.
The CMD recounted cases of patients whose breast cancer diagnoses were delayed because symptoms were mistaken for normal breastfeeding related changes, resulting in advanced disease before treatment commenced.
He stressed the need for sustained public enlightenment through community engagement, radio programmes, social media campaigns and other advocacy platforms.
“Our society still needs a lot of education. Continuous awareness messages can help women understand the importance of checking their breasts and seeking prompt medical attention whenever they notice unusual changes,” he said.
Ogoh also encouraged women, especially those at risk of cervical cancer, to undergo regular Pap smear screening, describing it as an effective tool for early detection and prevention.
He assured the foundation of the hospital’s willingness to support community based cancer screening outreaches through the provision of medical expertise, diagnostic services and screening support.
“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.
“The more people we can prevent from developing advanced cancer, the better for everyone,” he said.
The CMD noted that many cancer patients faced enormous financial challenges, citing cases where treatment costs had run into millions of naira.
He said that early diagnosis could significantly reduce treatment costs and improve survival rates.
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 explained that the experience inspired the foundation’s commitment to cancer awareness, early detection, patient support and healthcare advocacy.
According to her, the foundation has carried out awareness campaigns and support visits to cancer patients in health institutions across Kaduna State.
Hussaina said the visit was aimed at exploring areas of collaboration with the hospital in cancer prevention, awareness creation, screening, diagnosis and treatment support.
She specifically sought partnership opportunities in cervical cancer screening through Pap smear tests, breast cancer screening, pathology services and community outreach programmes targeting vulnerable populations.
“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 collaboration between the foundation and the hospital would improve access to cancer screening and strengthen efforts to combat the disease in communities across the state.
(NAN)
