Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has called on philanthropists, development partners, and well-meaning individuals within and outside the state to support efforts to tackle the growing challenge of breast Cancer.
He made the call on Friday at a send-off dinner organised by the state government in honour of the Revive Mission Belgium team and the Pledging Aid Charity Foundation F), following the successful completion of a free breast cancer medical mission in the state.
“Government, foundations, and partners must work hand in hand. Only through collaboration can we effectively confront this devastating challenge affecting our people,” the governor stated.
Radda stressed that government alone cannot tackle complex health challenges such as cancer, noting that collaboration remains key to saving lives and strengthening healthcare delivery.
He commended the visiting medical team for choosing Katsina as a partner in the fight against breast cancer, describing the disease as a major health concern, especially when detected at a late stage.
“This intervention has significantly improved early detection, screening, and access to treatment for our women. It is a major step forward in reducing the burden of breast cancer,” he said.
He also praised the Ministry of Health and healthcare workers for their commitment, noting that their efforts ensured the success of the programme despite various challenges.
The governor highlighted early detection as critical to reducing breast cancer-related deaths and commended PAC-F for its role in awareness creation and life-saving interventions.
He described the partnership between the state government, PAC-F, and Revive Mission Belgium as timely and impactful, reaffirming his commitment to sustaining and deepening the collaboration, including a planned visit to Belgium.
Governor Radda also praised his wife, Hajiya Fatima Dikko Radda, for her leadership in driving humanitarian health initiatives across the state.
Earlier, Hajiya Fatima Dikko Radda said the initiative is part of a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the state government and its partners, marking the first phase of implementation.
She said the programme was flagged off on June 8 at the General Amadi Rimi Specialist Hospital (GARSH), Katsina, while the mission commenced on May 26.
According to her, the exercise brought together government institutions, partners, and health professionals to combat breast cancer and restore hope to patients.
She noted that sustained investments in healthcare by the Radda administration are enabling impactful interventions across the state.
“Katsina State is now the third location globally, after the United Kingdom and Belgium, to benefit from the advanced medical equipment used for this exercise,” she said.
She disclosed that the mission recorded over 800 consultations, screened more than 600 women, and carried out 50 life-saving surgeries.
She urged women to prioritise regular medical check-ups and report any unusual symptoms early.
“We must sustain awareness and strengthen community engagement in the fight against breast cancer,” she added.
A Tribune correspondent in Katsina gathered that breast cancer is one of the illnesses increasingly affecting women in the state, with many unaware they have the disease until it reaches an advanced stage.
Malama Binta, a resident who attended the ceremony, said her teenage daughter was diagnosed with the disease through early detection and subsequently underwent a successful operation.
She thanked the state government for acquiring the advanced equipment, noting that it would greatly help in saving lives.
The event was attended by the Speaker’s representative, members of the State Executive Council, local government chairmen, heads of institutions, and the President of Revive Mission Belgium, Dr Herman, alongside his delegation.
