Non-governmental organisations, Project Pink Blue and Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation have called for an increase in oncology research as a critical mechanism for reducing the cancer burden, improving cancer treatment, addressing late detection, and mitigating the economic burden of the disease in Nigeria.
The call was made at the 2023 World Cancer Day symposium with high-level stakeholders in Abuja by the organisations as part of the Upgrade Oncology, a United States Nigeria Science and Technology Exchange Programme.
In a press statement signed by the Communication and Social Media Lead, Project Pink Blue, Chika Joseph, and made available to our correspondent, the Chief Executive Officer, ACT Foundation, Osagie Alile, was quoted as saying, “Nigeria remains a major contributor to the overall cancer burden on the African continent with one of the world’s poorest five-year cancer survival rates.
“This grave need led cancer interventions to become a major cornerstone of ACT Foundation’s implementation efforts since its inception. We have supported organisations working in all levels of intervention, from initiatives focused on advocacy and cancer awareness to those providing free cancer screenings and patient navigation support.”
Emphasising the importance of research, the Chair of the House of Representatives Committee on Healthcare, Tanko Sununu said research allows the country to review its performance on cancer care, standardise it, and proffer solutions on the way forward.
“As far as cancer care is concerned, we need to ensure stability in service delivery and ensure the increase in budgetary allocation,” he said.
In her keynote speech, Board Member and Visiting Scientist, Global Oncology Group, Institute of Cancer Policy at Kings College London, Dr Julie Torode said Nigeria contributed only 19 per cent of the entire cancer research published in sub-Saharan Africa and four per cent of entire Africa over 12 years.
“These include academic writings and peer review journals. African academic institutions need to develop independent funding sources (federal and philanthropic) that can allow them to drive their research agenda and become less dependent on international cancer researchers and research funders,” she said.
On his part, the President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr Uche Ojinmah, noted that the association is interested in cancer research in the country because most of the data currently in use are from other climes with different genetics and social dynamics from Nigeria.
“NMA is working hard to ensure that the welfare of oncologists is a priority and promote advocacy to meet the needs of cancer patients. We encourage activities that are important in strengthening research culture and have the Nigerian Journal of Medicine that promotes the publication of cancer research,’’ Ojinmah said.
Meanwhile, the Programme Coordinator of Project Pink Blue, Gloria Okwu, explained that Project Pink Blue and the ACT Foundation aim to drive comprehensive cancer research among the oncology workforce in Nigeria whilst paying attention to the needs of individual cancer patients.
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