Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu

Paediatrician. Cancer advocate. President @UICC | CEO @MedicaidRD | @MedicaidCFP

[Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu @DrZSB]

Today in Kebbi,as it gently rained,Gov. @AABagudu and I, received the @USEmbassyAbuja Ambasaddor to Nigeria,Stuart Symington. #foodsecurity

[Dr. Catharine Young @DrCatharineY]

Here is a comprehensive list of scientists and medical doctors confirmed so far to have been elected or reelected last night, across both parties and at the federal and state levels:

U.S. SENATE

Dr. Annie Andrews | South Carolina
@AnnieAndrewsMD | Pediatrician

Dr. Abdul El-Sayed | Michigan
@AbdulElSayed | Physician and epidemiologist

GOVERNORS

Dr. Amy Acton | Ohio
@AmyActonOH | Physician and former state health director

Dr. Josh Green | Hawaii
@GovJoshGreenMD | Physician

U.S. HOUSE: MEDICAL DOCTORS

Dr. Ami Bera | California
@RepBera

Dr. Richard Pan | California
@DrPanMD

Dr. Raul Ruiz | California
@RepRaulRuizMD

Dr. John Cowan | Georgia
@DrJohnCowan

Dr. Rich McCormick | Georgia
@RepMcCormick

Dr. Kelly Morrison | Minnesota
@kellymorrisonmn

Dr. Bob Onder | Missouri
@BobOnderMO

Dr. Herb Conaway | New Jersey
@RepHerbConaway

Dr. Adam Hamawy | New Jersey
@HamawyForNJ

Dr. Maxine Dexter | Oregon
@RepDexterOR

Dr. John Joyce | Pennsylvania
@RepJohnJoyce

U.S. HOUSE: SCIENTISTS AND MATHEMATICIANS

Dr. Jasmine Clark | Georgia
@jasmineforga | Microbiologist

Daniel Biss | Illinois
@DanielBiss | Mathematician

Sean Casten | Illinois
@RepCasten | Biochemical engineer and scientist

Dr. Bill Foster | Illinois
@RepBillFoster | Physicist

STATE LEGISLATURES

Dr. Jarod Fox | Florida House
Infectious disease physician

Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger | Minnesota Senate
@Amanda_MNHouse | Former forensic scientist

[Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu @DrZSB]

WALK AWAY CANCER 12.0

Through advocacy, patient support, community outreaches and partnerships, @MedicaidcfP continues to push for cancer prevention, early diagnosis and access to quality cancer care in Nigeria.

Our 12th Walk Away Cancer was a massive platform through which we raised funds and sent a loud message to all. We did this by bringing together the young and old, cancer and non patients, corporate bodies, government leaders, civil society, persons with disabilities, traditional rulers and so many more.

This commitment is line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Health Agenda. It is also part of our work as proud @uicc members.

We stand in solidarity with survivors, patients and families navigating cancer.

We further appreciate everyone who walked with us, our partners, health workers, volunteers, sponsors, influencers, media and everyone who made this year’s edition possible.

WalkawayCancer 12.0 is over, but our work continues.

#WalkAwayCancer2026 #MedicaidCancerFoundation #RenewedHope #Onewalkonefight #EarlyDetectionSavesLives #relentless

[MUKHTASAR MALCOLM ALKALI @MalcolmAlkalee]

Today, I walked for those whose cancer journey has made even the simplest steps difficult.

I walked for the patients still fighting, for the survivors who endured nights they thought they wouldn’t see the end of, and for the families anxiously waiting for news that could change their lives forever.

Some are too weak to walk. Some are receiving treatment in hospital beds. Others are struggling to afford the care they desperately need. Today, I walked with them in my heart.

Behind every cancer diagnosis is a human story—a patient, a family, a dream, and a fight for life.

Through its PACE programme, @MedicaidcfP continues to support patients who would otherwise struggle to access treatment. Last year alone, the Foundation disbursed ₦100 million to support 60 cancer patients. I personally referred several breast cancer patients who received this assistance.

Something important: when you purchase a walk kit, the funds go directly towards supporting cancer patients. Your participation is more than a show of solidarity; it is a contribution that helps patients access the care they desperately need.

Over the years, MCF has screened more than 92,000 women, reached over 1.2 million people with cancer awareness, and trained thousands of healthcare workers across Nigeria.

These are not just numbers. They represent lives reached, patients supported, families given hope, and people who are reminded that they are not alone.

Before you criticise the work of Medicaid Cancer Foundation(MCF), take the time to research and understand the impact it has made, and the patients whose lives have been touched by its support.

One final point: Cancer does not discriminate. It can drain the savings of a wealthy family and push a struggling household into financial hardship. Treatment is expensive, and for many patients, the fight is not just against the disease but also against the cost of staying alive.

That is why we walk. For those who cannot. For those who are still fighting. For those who need hope, support, and access to care.

#OneWalkOneFight #WalkAwayCancer2026

[Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu @DrZSB]

@uicc plays an important role in creating opportunities to share knowledge and learn.

The World Cancer Congress 2026 was a space for people from different countries and areas of cancer control to learn from one another, share practical experience and explore solutions to common challenges. Every registered participant was given a Certificate of Attendance as well as certified CME points (Continuing Medical Education credits) for qualified participants.

We will continue to measure what participants take home, what they put into practice and how that knowledge reaches the people who need it most.

Have you received your Certificate of Attendance?

#UICC #WorldCancerCongress2026 #Walkawaycancer2026 #Patientcentredcare #GlobalHealth #Education #capacitybuilding

[Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu @DrZSB]

RECAP OF WORLD CANCER CONGRESS 2026

After weeks of planning, preparations and a long flight across continents to Hong Kong, the #UICC World Cancer Congress 2026 has come and gone.

From 24 to 26 September, more than 2,000 delegates from over 120 countries gathered to discuss cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, research, financing and equitable access to care. The conversations highlighted the need to translate advances in cancer science and policy into services that patients can access and afford.

Day One opened up important conversations, but Day Two was particularly busy. Between meetings, fireside chats, presentations across different halls and impromptu conversations with colleagues, I found myself moving from one session to another, trying to catch a little of everything. There were many valuable perspectives to take in, and the experience reinforced how much we can learn from one another across different health systems and contexts.

For Nigeria and many other African countries, equitable access to cancer care remains a priority. I am grateful to the Nigerian delegates who travelled all the way to Hong Kong and showed their support. Having colleagues from home present at the congress meant a lot to me, and demonstrated our commitment.

On Day Three, I delivered closing remarks, reflecting on the discussions and the responsibility we share in advancing global cancer control. As I prepare to assume my presidency in the Union for International Cancer Control (@uicc ), I recognise the importance of ensuring that the needs and experiences of countries across Africa and even the Global south remain part of my plans.

Finally, a big shout out to the @uicc team, hosts @hongkonganticancer, all the delegates, partners and colleagues who made these three days impactful.

#UICC #WCC2026 #WorldCancerCongress #CancerControl

@AstraZeneca @AORTIC_AFRICA @Roche @medservecancer @bmsnews @CR_UK @Elekta @MSF_france @NicratGov

[Runcie C.W. Chidebe @runciecwc]

Congrats to HE Dr Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu (@DrZSB ) who officially took the mantle as President of Union for International Cancer Control (@uicc ).
UICC is a 93yr organ. for cancer control with members from 170 countries. She is the first African president of the global organ.

[Chioma Uzodimma @Chioma_Uzodimma]

I warmly congratulate Her Excellency, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, @DrZSB, on her historic assumption of office as President of the Union for International Cancer Control, @uicc for 2026–2028.

[SADIQ KIGO @Sadiq__Kigo]

Speaking on @BBCAfrica with @nkechinna, @UICC President @DrZSB highlighted Africa’s cancer-care crisis and the urgent need for stronger healthcare systems.

In 2022, Africa recorded 1.15 million new cancer cases and over 754,000 deaths. While countries like South Africa, Egypt and Morocco have made progress in some areas, and Zambia’s investment in cancer treatment demonstrates the power of political will, much more remains to be done.

We need stronger healthcare infrastructure, early diagnosis, trained specialists, affordable medicines, health insurance and financial protection for patients.

In Nigeria, under the Renewed Hope Administration, cancer treatment is now covered under the @nhia_nigeria plan. The administration has also approved six additional cancer centres, with three already completed, alongside plans for 35 more linear accelerators between 2027 and 2029.

Cancer care must be a political priority, not a privilege. Every patient deserves access to timely, affordable and quality treatment. 🎗️

[OncoDaily @oncodaily]

Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu has assumed the UICC Presidency for the 2026–2028 term, succeeding Prof. Ulrike Årehed Kågström.

Read about the new leadership and her priorities for advancing global cancer control: https://t.co/gj7V3TXreo

@DrZSB @uicc @ulrikaarehed

[Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu @DrZSB]

@whitenigerian @uicc Nagode Mohammed 💕

[Mohammed Jammal @whitenigerian]

Congratulations @DrZSB the President of @uicc 🇳🇬

[OncoDaily @oncodaily]

A New Chapter for UICC Following Six Years of Board Service - Gonzalo López-Cuevas

@gonzalolopezcu @DrZSB @juliaismael4 @cspramesh @DrCaryAdams

https://t.co/GkNukhY40Y

[EndCervivalCancerNg @EndCervicalCaNg]

Congratulations to @DrZSB on her inauguration as @uicc President for 2026–2028! 🎉

At ECCNI, we celebrate this achievement and look forward to your continued leadership in advancing equitable access to cancer prevention, treatment and care worldwide.

#ECCNI #UICC

[Dr. Catharine Young @DrCatharineY]

Good news: the extraordinarily unethical RFK Jr.-backed hepatitis B vaccine trial in Guinea-Bissau will not proceed.

Withholding the birth dose from newborns would have put them at risk of preventable infection and lifelong consequences - including liver cancer.

[Channels Television @channelstv]

The Ebola patient in Nigeria is Uganda-born. She went to Uganda and was there for some days. Her husband flew to join her in Uganda, and they both returned to Abuja, Nigeria, on October 3, 2026. We want collaboration from this lady. She has to disclose to the authorities if she flew into the DRC, went out of Kampala, and if she was in contact with someone from the DRC.

- DG, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr.Jean Kaseya, speaking on the latest Ebola outbreak on the continent

#MorningBrief
#CTVTweets

[Dr. Ayoade Alakija @yodifiji.bsky.social @yodifiji]

Ebola confirmed in Abuja, Nigeria. Don’t panic, but do stay safe. https://t.co/BUhN2WBtLq

[Dr. Ayoade Alakija @yodifiji.bsky.social @yodifiji]

CORRECTION‼️ The patient is an Ugandan national NOT Nigerian. Travelled to Abuja from Uganda.

[Dr. Ayoade Alakija @yodifiji.bsky.social @yodifiji]

‼️EBOLA IN NIGERIA.

Below is a clear responsible statement on the evolving situation.

FACT: This outbreak has spread across the African continent, with likely travel through ET as the major hub. Mortality rate in DRC 48% - it’s no joke.

Governments must communicate clearly.

[Dr. Ayoade Alakija @yodifiji.bsky.social @yodifiji]

The Nigerian case involves a Ugandan woman who arrived in Nigeria's capital Abuja via Addis Ababa on October 5, Odianosen Ehiakhamen of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control told Arise TV on Tuesday.

https://t.co/BNijflI6G6