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

Vice-Chancellor Mukhtar Atiku-Kurawa said while inaugurating the laboratory on Wednesday it was established at the main campus for research due to the increasing cases of cervical cancer among women.

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

Mr Atiku-Kurawa further stated that the centre was established with a grant from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), adding that state-of-the-art facilities were provided to ensure better service delivery.

He tasked researchers to take advantage of the centre by conducting scientific research to achieve the set objectives.

He also assured 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.

Mr Atiku-Kurawa commended Governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s administration for supporting the university.

The university’s lead researcher and dean of the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Iman Usman-Haruna, said “the centre is established to provide free services to women with cancer problems.”

She said about 1,500 patients were expected to benefit during the first phase of its 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,” explained Ms Usman-Haruna.

She added, “This is through a grant from TETFund and with great support from the University management.”

(NAN)