Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano (YUMSUK), has established a laboratory for screening cervical cancer in women.

The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Mukhtar Kurawa, said the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) DNA Modular Research Laboratory would help in research and treatment of cervical cancer in women, especially in North-West region of the country.

The laboratory situated at the Main Campus of the university was funded by a grant from Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

He further explained that there was a rise in cervical cancer among women in the region, hence the university’s move to address the problem.

The VC challenged researchers to take advantage of the centre by conducting scientific research to achieve the set objectives.

He assured continuous support for the centre, saying: “Researches are now conducted not only for academic progression, but also for economic development.”

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Kurawa further expressed optimism that the centre would excel and achieve its objective owing to the state-of-the-art facilities provided.

The Lead Researcher and Dean, Faculty of Clinical Sciences of the university, Dr Iman Usman-Haruna, said “the centre is established to provide free services to women with cancer problems”.

Usman-Haruna stated that about 1,500 patients are expected to benefit during the first phase of the programme.

She said: “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.”

Usman-Haruna, therefore, applauded the Vice-Chancellor and TETFund for their support for the actualisation of the project, describing it as a welcome development for the betterment of society.

The Star