Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, the country’s minister of health, on Thursday decried the alarming cancer burden. He claimed that there are 127 000 cases of cancer each year and 80 000 deaths.
While constructing a cancer center at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Katsina, the minister made the disclosure.
Non-communicable diseases like cancer, in his opinion, account for one of Nigeria’s disease burden’s fastest-growing segments, leading to a rise in cancer cases.
He expressed confidence in the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts in the health sector among the upcoming generations of Nigerians.
The world’s best cancer center is here. Mr. President has made a promise, which he kept. We Nigerians, not any other nation, can fix our own health system, he said.
The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, a division of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare Oncology Initiative, recently announced the state-of-the-art Cancer Center, which was renovated and equipped by the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, Dr. Suleiman Bello, earlier in his welcome address.
He explained that three promising medical officers were hired and sent for radio-oncology residency in the first year of the center’s operation.
He claimed that the Center has a 20-bed chemotherapy suite with private suites for VIPs, as well as a pharmacy compounding room for chemotherapeutic medication preparation by pharmacists.
Patients who now choose to travel abroad for cancer treatment do so because they want to, in the opinion of Dr. Bello, not because they can’t be treated here in Nigeria.
“To God’s glory, the Almighty, all three are consultants today. More were recruited later, and more were also referred for residency. They are currently training as senior registrars. Seven Therapy Radiographers were also trained by the Teaching Hospital’s Management. The seven have all been trained as therapy radiologists. Eight Medical Physicists who were trained at the University of Lagos in collaboration with the MLOCC are also included.
Six Oncology Pharmacists were also trained by the Management. The West African College of Pharmacists provided them with training. The pharmacists have been working with Medserve to continue their education at BVGH.
26 oncology nurses graduated from the Abuja National Hospital Post-Basic Oncology Training School on an equal basis. Following Federal Executive Council approval, the construction of this cancer center began in 2021. In 2023, the building was finished.  ,
NSIA/Medserve remodelled the center to improve operational flow with the signing of the tripartite project management MoU. The Center is equipped with a True Beam, a cutting-edge linear accelerator capable of delivering radiation from various angles with minimal damage to the surrounding healthy tissues.
The Brachytherapy device is a “Varian Bravos device,” the manufacturer claims. This upcoming facility’s upcoming construction will enable precise and efficient treatment of cervical and prostate cancers.
Honorable Ministers, NSIA/Medserve also provided a prostate applicator in addition to the conventional cervical applicator. A 64-bit CT simulator was also provided by NSIA/Medserve. Fast scan times and detailed 3D images that are appropriate for planning radiation therapy are made possible with the Scanner.
The Center has a 20-bed Chemotherapy Suite with private VIP suites. Additionally, the center has a pharmacy compounding room where pharmacists can make chemotherapeutic medications for patients.
“Thanks to NICRATRAT,” this hospital has access to subsidized cancer medications from the National Cancer Access program (NCAP).
Honorable Ministers, Sirs, this center allows patients who choose to travel abroad for cancer treatment because they are unable to receive treatment in Nigeria. The quality of the equipment is second to none, just like the ones found in the world’s top cancer treatment facilities.
The Federal Teaching Hospital Katsina’s management thanks His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for funding this project, the Honourable Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate CON, for his genuine leadership, and the NSIA/Medserve for its flawless execution, he noted.
The center is intended to provide comprehensive cancer care, from early diagnosis and advanced treatment to cotton age research, according to the governor of Katsina, Dikko Radda, who is represented by the governor of the state, Hon Abdullahi Faskari.
He claimed that the federal government is making a bold move to lower cancer burden and improve survival outcomes with the establishment of the center.
He praised the Federal Government’s support of President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda’s ongoing healthcare reforms under the Nigerian Healthcare Renewal Investment Initiative.
He revealed that the state government’s building your future blueprint prioritized healthcare, and that the health component, according to him, was in line with the national reforms initiative.
According to Faskari, significant advancements have been made in the state’s healthcare system, primarily in the areas of health infrastructure, health supplies, and equipment at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.
With approximately 10 million deaths per year, cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. The burden of cancer is rising in Africa, and its limited ability to get diagnosed and treat it contributes to a low survival rate. With 125, 000 new cancer cases discovered annually, Nigeria is becoming a major health issue. More than 70% of patients are in late stages of treatment with limited recovery and outcomes, Faskari said, highlighting the urgent need for specialized healthcare facilities like the radiotherapy and oncology center’s current commissioning.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has prioritized healthcare by releasing funds straight away to the Ministry of Health, according to Alhaji Mohammed Idris and Chief Wale Edun, the coordinate minister of information and national orientation and Chief Wale Edun, both in their separate goodwill messages.
Source: Channels TV
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