By Kemi Akintokun
In observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Roche Nigeria has partnered with the Health Writers Association of Nigeria (HEWAN) to enhance public education and media reporting on breast cancer.
The collaboration was marked by a strategic capacity-building 2-day workshop for health journalists at the Cancer Centre of the Nigerian Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) in Lagos.
The workshop was organised to equip journalists with the necessary tools to accurately inform Nigerians about the realities of breast cancer and the available care initiatives.
The Breast Cancer Awareness Month is marked every October to increase awareness of the disease and raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure.
Speaking at the workshop, Mr Gilbert Ogbewele, Marketing and Business Support Lead, who represented the General Manager, Mr Ladi Hameed, highlighted the importance of the partnership with HEWAN
Ogbewele said: “Roche is proud to partner with HEWAN, a truly critical stakeholder entrusted with preserving public interest.
“Health writers, your role in educating the Nigerian public about the scourge of breast cancer is invaluable.
“Crucially, you offer hope by arming our citizens with information about the available policies and breast cancer care initiatives that are functional in Nigeria today.”
“The workshop aims to leverage the media’s reach to drive increased awareness, encourage early detection, and support the strengthening of Nigeria’s healthcare system for improved cancer care and survival”.
He said journalists were critical in supporting the government’s drive toward universal health coverage
The pharmacist, adding that the initiative is part of Roche’s bold Africa Breast Cancer Ambition (ABCA), a mission dedicated to rewriting the story of breast cancer in Nigeria.
I her Welcome Address, the President of HEWAN, Mrs Vivian Ihechu, said “We gather today with a dual, vital mission: to sharpen the skills of Nigeria’s health journalists and to powerfully mark the 2025 Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
“Journalism is not just about reporting facts; it’s about saving lives.
“In a country grappling with complex public health challenges, your expertise in translating scientific data into actionable public information is invaluable.
“This capacity-building program, generously supported by our trusted partners at NIMR and Roche, is designed to equip you with the advanced tools necessary to cover disease outbreaks, policy changes, and treatment innovations with greater accuracy, depth, and impact.”
Commenting on Breast Cancer awareness, she said, “Our focus today is sharpened by the global campaign against breast cancer.
“October serves as a critical annual reminder that this disease remains a devastating threat to our mothers, sisters, and daughters.
“As journalists, we bear the responsibility of moving beyond mere statistics.
“We must tell the stories of early detection, advocate for equitable access to screening and treatment, and, crucially, dispel the myths that prevent timely intervention,” Ihechu said.
Key sessions at the day one of the workshop included an expert overview of breast cancer, presented by Dr Samuel Otene, a Consultant Radiation and Clinical Oncologist and State Chairman, Nigerian Cancer Society, Benue Chapter.
Also, there was a detailed briefing on the Africa Breast Cancer Ambition (ABCA), an ongoing mission by Roche and its partners to improve breast cancer care outcomes, among others.
