By Our Reporter
The Director General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, has revealed that his Institute has concluded plans to assign a Desk Officer to the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH).
He disclosed this when the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of ABSUTH, Prof. Ijeoma Nduka, visited him in Abuja, recently.
Prof. Malami explained that the Desk Officer will provide technical assistance and ensure the smooth implementation of ABSUTH’s planned establishment of Centre of Excellence for Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment, and Research.
He commended ABSUTH for the initiative, noting that it will go a long way in improving cancer care in Abia state and the entire South Eastern part of the country.
The NICRAT Director General assured that the Institute is ready to partner and collaborate with all critical stakeholders including state governments, local governments, the private sector and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to improve cancer care in Nigeria.
Prof. Malami further reiterated the importance of sensitization campaigns on cancer prevention and control, stressing the need for community engagement to promote early detection in order to reduce the burden of the disease in the country.
Earlier, the Chief Medical Director of ABSUTH, Prof. Ijeoma said that the hospital has concluded arrangement to establish a cancer registry and cancer treatment protocol within the first quarter of 2025.
“As part of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti’s administration’s broader healthcare reform aimed at improving access to quality medical services and thus strengthen healthcare delivery across the state, ABSUTH desires to establish a Centre of Excellence for Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment and Research in Nigeria’s South East,” the CMD further said.
She noted that considering the mandate of NICRAT and the pool of experts in the Institute, ABSUTH will continue to look up to it for guidance in actualizing its dream.
The CMD further said: “ABSUTH appreciates the exceptional role of the NICRAT in bringing together leading scientists, physicians and experts across various disciplines to collaborate and advance the understanding of the intricate disease, cancer and the Institute’s employment of cutting-edge research to make breakthrough discoveries that will transform cancer care in Nigeria.
“We, therefore, hope to key into this collaborative synergy, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, which focuses on health and well-being for all.
Prof. Ijeoma expressed optimism that their collaboration with NICRAT will guide them in establishing Cancer Protocol, Cancer Registry and indeed, ensuring the materialization of their plan to make ABSUTH a centre of excellence in oncology.
