A leading cancer advocacy and support organization, Project Pink Blue – Health and Psychological Trust Centre, has established a Pain and Palliative Care Unit at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, Abuja. The unit, supported by the International Gynecologic Cancer Society (IGCS) and the Dicey Scroggins Fund for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), will serve as a dedicated facility for providing comprehensive pain management and palliative care services to women living with gynaecological cancers and other patients in the hospital.
Critical Milestone for Cancer Care
Speaking at the inauguration, Executive Director of Project Pink Blue, Runcie Chidebe, said the launch marks a critical milestone in efforts to bridge the palliative care gap in Nigeria and ensure that patients facing serious illnesses have access to dignified, comfortable and compassionate care. Chidebe noted that Nigeria bears one of the highest cancer burdens in sub-Saharan Africa, yet access to comprehensive palliative care and pain relief remains severely limited.
According to him, many patients, particularly women with cervical, ovarian, vulval and other gynaecological cancers, suffer unnecessarily due to inadequate pain management. He said, “For too long, women with gynaecological cancer in Nigeria have had to endure pain that could have been managed. The launch of this centre is not just about equipment and medicine; it is a promise that every woman who walks through its doors will be seen, heard and cared for with dignity. Project Pink Blue is proud to walk this journey with FMC Abuja and with every patient.”
Comprehensive Patient-Centred Services
Chidebe explained that the Pain and Palliative Care Centre is designed to deliver patient-centred care that addresses not only the physical symptoms of cancer and other serious illnesses but also the emotional, psychological and social needs of patients and their families. He added that services at the centre include pain management, symptom control, psychosocial support and end-of-life care.
Chief Executive Officer of IGCS, Mary Eiken, said the establishment of the facility was made possible through funding from the International Gynecologic Cancer Advocacy Network (IGCAN) under the Dicey Scroggins Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Fund for the Count Me In: Pain and Palliative Project (PPP). Eiken noted that IGCAN supports initiatives aimed at addressing inequities in gynaecologic cancer care globally through the fund. “Project Pink Blue is an important partner with the Federal Medical Centre Abuja, and we are proud of its efforts,” she said.
Addressing Critical Gaps
Head of the Oncology Department at FMC Abuja, Dr Tessy Ahmadu, observed that more than 80 per cent of people who require palliative care globally live in low- and middle-income countries, yet access remains limited. She pointed out that palliative care infrastructure in Nigeria is inadequate, while opioid analgesics, which are essential for managing cancer pain, remain difficult to access due to policy barriers, supply challenges and a shortage of trained personnel.
Chief Medical Director of FMC Abuja, Prof Saad Ahmed, expressed delight over the partnership, describing the facility as the first dedicated pain and palliative care unit in the hospital. Ahmed noted that the patient-centred initiative aligns with the National Cancer Control Plan (2026–2030), the healthcare priorities of the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate, and the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Training for Healthcare Professionals
Earlier, Project Pink Blue and FMC Abuja organized a three-day training workshop to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills required for effective pain management, palliative care and cancer care services.
