By Our Reporter
Following the rising cases of cancer in the country, the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government has vowed to change the narrative of cancer care in the country.
This it intends to do through massive and intense awareness creation and improved access to cancer treatment and research.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this at a one-day workshop organized by the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) in partnership with Siemens Healthineers with the theme “Improving Access to Cancer Care in Nigeria,” in Abuja.
The workshop was aimed at improving collaboration between the public and the private sector and stimulate cancer care outcomes in Nigeria.
According to the Minister: “The Federal Ministry of Health, through NICRAT is determined to work with all relevant stakeholders to change the narrative on cancer care in Nigeria through intense awareness creation and improved access to treatment and research.
“We are firmly determined to keep this momentum up until we change the narrative in the cancer space in Nigeria. This would also charter a way for a new partnership between the health ministry and SEIMENS in order to bring off hope for a brighter future without cancer.
“To underscore our preparedness to reduce the incidence of this deadly scourge and ensure that those with the illness have access to the best care and support in the country, we have mapped out strategies to geometrically increase cancer experts in the country through training and re-training of all categories of healthcare professionals.
“We are dedicated to strengthening and improving the administration and management of the Cancer Health Fund (CHF) in Nigeria.
“The focus of the ministry through NICRAT on CHF implementation will be on enhancing coverage, ensuring effective resource mobilization and prompting transparency in the allocation of resources to support cancer treatment and care services.
“In the area of support for capacity building and facility strengthening, we have forged impactful partnerships with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to optimize capacity building for cancer care in Nigeria.
“The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is also upgrading 6 cancer centres of excellence for treatment and 8 centres for cancer diagnosis.
“I am, therefore, particularly pleased that we are witnessing the beginning of this collaboration which is a further proof of the renewed commitment and readiness of Siemens to support the implementation of the National Cancer Control Plan 2023-27.
“We hope that this workshop would address challenges and key priority areas of cancer care in Nigeria and explore avenue for collaborations.”
Speaking, the Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas, called for the involvement of community leaders as stakeholders and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in the fight against cancer in the country.
She noted that the workshop provides a platform for Nigeria to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and forge new alliances that will drive progress in the field of cancer care.
The Special Adviser insisted that through collaborative initiatives, the country can leverage donor partners’ expertise, resources and technology to facilitate access to high-quality care, promote early detection, and enhance the continuum of care for individuals impacted by cancer.
She noted that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led federal government is poised and determined to improve the general health indices of the country.
On his part, the Vice-President and Head of Public Sector Engagement at Siemens Healthineers, Dr. Kevin Massoudi, applauded Nigeria’s proactive efforts at combating cancer through innovation and technology.
He applauded the Federal Government’s emphasis on sustainable access and community engagement as pivotal in combating this daunting public health crisis.
In his address of welcome, the Director General of NICRAT, Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, said the current effort of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led federal government to strengthen and expand high-tech cancer care in Nigeria, funding of research in cancer, routinization of cancer prevention services in the country, among other things, clearly demonstrate the commitment of the president to change the narratives of cancer care in the country.
He commended the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Tunji Alausa, “for his unending support, fatherly guide, and commitment to the Institute’s efforts and determination to improve cancer care and control in Nigeria.
“Today’s workshop provides a platform for us to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and forge new alliances that will drive progress in the field of cancer care.
“Through collaborative initiatives, we can leverage the expertise, resources, and technology of our partners to facilitate access to high-quality care, promote early detection, and enhance the continuum of care for individuals impacted by cancer.”
Prof. Malami, therefore, called on the participants at the workshop to “actively engage, collaborate, and contribute to the discussions and deliberations ahead.
“Let us seize this opportunity to leverage our collective strengths, harness innovation, and cultivate partnerships that will enrich the cancer care ecosystem and benefit our communities.”
