By Ayomide Otitoju
Lagos State on Tuesday marked World Cancer Day 2026 with a high-impact awareness walk and a free cancer screening exercise for public servants, underscoring the state government’s commitment to prevention, early detection, and access to quality cancer care.
Organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Health through its Non-Communicable Diseases and Cancer Control programmes, the event featured a sensitisation walk through the State Government Secretariat, Alausa-Ikeja, culminating in free breast, cervical, and prostate cancer screenings at the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic.
Leading the walk were the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi; Permanent Secretaries from the Ministry of Health, Lagos Health District VI, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and Lagos State Public Service Office, alongside partners, civil servants, and stakeholders.
Addressing participants, Dr. Ogunyemi described World Cancer Day as both a moment of reflection and celebration. “We are celebrating today because there are cancer survivors among us, while also acknowledging that cancer does not discriminate,” she said. She emphasised that early detection is the most effective intervention and encouraged residents to take advantage of free screening services.
Ogunyemi further revealed that under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos is working to strengthen cancer care infrastructure, including plans for a comprehensive oncology centre in Alausa that will integrate prevention, treatment, post-care, and support services.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide, highlighted that cancer screening services are not limited to the commemoration period but are available across Lagos State health facilities, including Primary Health Care Centres. He urged civil servants to participate in the free screenings at Folarin Coker Staff Clinic, a government initiative demonstrating commitment to workers’ welfare.
Other speakers, including Mrs. Rianat Ajibike Onigbanjo and Dr. Olufemi Omololu, stressed the importance of early detection for women, vulnerable groups, and men, noting the rising prevalence of prostate cancer in younger age groups. Dr. Victoria Egunjobi, Director of Disease Control, encouraged civil servants to utilise the state health insurance-covered screenings, while Dr. Abosede Wellington of the Cancer Control Programme highlighted increasing cancer cases among younger residents, reinforcing the need for vigilance and preventive action.
The commemoration also included a five-day free screening programme for eligible civil servants at Folarin Coker Staff Clinic from February 4–6 and 9–10, 2026, with daily sessions starting at 10 a.m. Free mammogram screenings were scheduled from February 2–13, 2026.
The event concluded with civil servants accessing the free services, as Lagos State renewed its call for collective action to reduce cancer burden through awareness, early detection, and preventive care.
