Cervical Cancer: Kano Varsity Establishes Research Laboratory

The Yusuf Maitama Sule University Kano (YUMSUK) has built and established a human papilloma virus (HPV) DNA modular research laboratory for the purpose of screening cervical cancer in women.

On Wednesday, while inaugurating the laboratory, Vice-Chancellor Mukhtar Atiku-Kurawa explained that the laboratory had been established at the main campus for research as a result of the increasing cases of cervical cancer among women.

According to him, the research laboratory, which is the first of its kind in northern Nigeria, will assist in the research and treatment of women with cervical cancer, especially those who are from Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina.

Mr. Atiku-Kurawa further stated that the centre had been established with a grant from that they had received from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and added that state-of-the-art facilities were provided in order to ensure better service delivery.

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He then tasked the researchers to take advantage of the research centre by conducting scientific researches so as to achieve the set objectives. He then gave his assurance that there would be continuous support for the centre, saying that “researches are now conducted not only for academic progression, but also for economic development,” and expressed optimism that the centre would excel and achieve its objectives.

The Vice-Chancellor then commended Governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s administration for supporting the university.

Iman Usman-Haruna, the university’s lead researcher and dean of the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, said that, “the centre is established to provide free services to women with cancer problems.” According to her, approximately 1,500 patients are expected to benefit from the first phase of the research laboratory’s programme.

“This research is a multi-centre study to be conducted in Kano, Katsina and Jigawa, and is mainly on cervical cancer screening. We will be performing pap smear and HPV test for 1,500 women, samples will be transported to Yusuf Maitama Sule University for processing. This is through a grant from TETFund and with great support from the University management.”