By Our Reporter
The effort by the National Institute of Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), under the leadership of the Director General, Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, to improve cancer research and care in Nigeria is gathering momentum.
This is even as the Institute and the management of Abdulkadir Kure University (AKU), Minna, Niger State, have concluded plans to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on public health, specifically, in the area of cancer research.
This is the outcome of the meeting between the two organisations when the Director General of NICRAT, Prof. Usman Aliyu Malami, hosted the management team of AKU led by its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Muh’d Aliyu Paiko, in his office in Abuja, on Monday.
While emphasizing that cancer care requires multi sectoral and multi- disciplinary approach, Prof. Malami reiterated the determination of his Institute to partner with all relevant stakeholders to improve cancer care and research in Nigeria.
He, therefore, advised the AKU management to consider introducing courses in cancer related areas including Medical Physicists, Radiography, Cancer nutrition in addition to Complementary and Alternative medicine which the university was already offering.
The NICRAT Director General noted that the Institute is open for collaboration with AKU and other universities across the country in the area of cancer research.
He explained that the mandate of NICRAT revolves around providing leadership in cancer research, treatment, and control in Nigeria
Earlier, the Vice Chancelor (VC) of AKU, Prof. Muh’d Aliyu Paiko, said the aim of the visit was to explore ways of partnership with NICRAT in the area of public health.
He noted that AKU was interested in collaborating with NICRAT specifically in the area of the cancer research, teaching and nutrition for the benefits of the two institutions and the country at large.
The VC disclosed that his university which was inaugurated early this year offers courses in Agric Business, Allied Medical, Health Sciences for example, Public Health, Nursing Sciences, Engineering, Alternative and Complimentary medicine.
Also speaking, the NICRAT Director of Research and Innovation, Prof. Amaka Lasebikan, commended the AKU Vice Chancellor for the visit and the effort to collaborate with NICRAT to improve cancer care in Nigeria.
She disclosed that NICRAT was already working in the area of complementary and alternative medicine with other international organisations.
She advised the AKU management to consider sending their students for internship in cancer related areas to NICRAT. This, she said, will enable them acquire practical knowledge and also add value to cancer care in Nigeria.
The Director of Cancer Prevention and Control, Prof. Waziri Usman Muh’d and Director Clinical Services, Dr. Musa Ali-Gombe of NICRAT were also at the meeting.
