By Hassan Zaggi
A Non Governmental Organisation (NGO)- Project PinkBlue in partnership with a United States agency- Fulbright Specialist, have concluded plans to train 34 oncology pharmacists in Nigeria.
The training is on up-grade of oncology under the U.S.- Nigeria Science and Technology Exchange Programme.
Findings showed that Oncology Pharmacists provide evidence-based, patient-centered medication therapy management and direct patient care for individuals with cancer, including treatment assessment and monitoring for potential adverse drug reactions and interactions
The training which is basically on cancer treatment and care will last for five days from December 6 to 10, 2021.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, yesterday, President, Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners Association of Nigeria, Mrs Ramatu-Masud Alabelewe, disclosed that the training was put together in an effort to increase the knowledge of the medical personnel in the area of cancer care in the country.
She described high cost of cancer therapy, limited access to fund and inadequate training for health workers as the major challenges to cancer care in Nigeria.
The idea of the training, she said, came up after reviewing the spread of cancer cases, how to stop infection, and improve the general well-being of cancer patients in the country.
“Since 2013, Project PINKBLUE has been active in cancer issue in Nigeria, we have done a lot of project, create awareness, conduct screening, response to patient and conduct of research, we have work with a lot of stakeholders.
“Since 2013 Project PINKBLUE initiated the upgrade of the oncology programme in response and to find a way of improving the capacity of the oncology workforce in different areas in partnership with stakeholders and ministry of health.
“Also in 2018, we focus on medical training of oncology in Nigeria and we trained 44 oncology along with stakeholders with the partnership of the Federal Ministry of Health.
“We are convinced that this upcoming training will bring about access to quality care on cancer,” she noted.
