#HealthNews: CANCER: FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AMELIORATING MENACE WITH RADIOTHERAPY CENTRE
CANCER: FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AMELIORATING MENACE WITH RADIOTHERAPY CENTRE
On Dec. 2, a radiotherapy centre with new Multileave Linear Accelerator, LINAC for cancer treatment was inaugurated at the National Hospital Abuja, by the wife of the Vice-President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo.
The inauguration, no doubt was to reduce the burden of the terminal illness on the country.
The journey to this noble feat began late in 2016 when Adewole paid a working visit to the National Hospital, Abuja, to assess the state of infrastructure and discovered that a brand new radiotherapy machine was purchased and supplied in 2013 but was not installed.
Sadly, Nigeria has the highest concentration of cancer cases in Africa; reports show that 100,000 new cases occurred yearly and 15 per cent deaths are recorded, representing 20 per cent of Africa`s death ratio.
The most unfortunate perspective is that cancer can ravage anyone irrespective of status, age, sex, tribe or religion.
Suffice it to say that Cancer, the name given to a collection of related diseases whereby some of the body’s cells begin to divide without stopping and spread into surrounding tissues, has become one of the most deadly leading causes of death globally.
Recent researches conducted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in collaboration with National Cancer Institute, U.S., reveales that 12.7 million new cases of cancer were discovered in 2008.
The report also shows that 7.6 million cancer related deaths were recorded and as at 2012, the number of deaths globally had increased by 100 per cent to 14 million.
It is also projected that by the end of 2030, 30 million people, representing 39.6 per cent of both men and women living with cancer, were likely to die.
An overview of this frightening analysis further reveals that 56 per cent of the newly reported cancer cases occurred in developing countries, with Africa having the highest number of morbidity and mortality.
This has been attributed to geometric increase in population growth with the commonest of cancers being the cervical, breast, colon and prostate.
But prior to now, the disease has claimed the lives of “unknown’’ Nigerians like Mrs Maria Essien, Dr Kate Ogbeh, Miss Funke Omotayo, Mr Okechukwu Ebizie and Mr Usman Abdullahi.
Also prominent Nigerians like the former Minister of Information in the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, Mrs Dora Akunyili, Mrs Remi Oyo and Dr Nwabu Mgbemena succumbed to cancer.
Some others were the late legal icon, Gani Fawehinmi, President Umaru Musa Yar’adua, a former medical doctor cum human rights activist, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, renowned musician Sunny Okosun, Second Republic Sen. Olushola Saraki, former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Funmilayo Olayinka and wife of former Edo governor, Clara Oshiomole.
To most Nigerians, when cancer strikes, it is accepted as a death sentence, especially with late diagnosis and the high cost of management.
Sadly again, not until recently, there was no single federal health facility where radiotherapy could be performed in Nigeria, especially as the seven Teaching Hospitals with such diagnostic equipment totally are non-functional.
This has made Nigeria to lose foreign exchange to medical tourism to countries like India, U.S., U.K., China, South Africa and even Ghana.
But hope came for cancer patients with the appointment of Prof. Isaac Adewole as the Minister of Health.
Adewole, who was at a time, the President-Elect of the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), promised to build seven state-of-the-arts Centre of Excellence for cancer management.
Having seen that the radiotherapy machine was purchased and supplied in 2013, he conducted investigations into why it was not installed.
The exercise showed that the machine was not assembled or installed, and that it was still in the crate of manufacture and no bunker constructed for its installation.
The minister ensured that timely approval was sought from President Muhammadu Buhari to fast-track the completion of the abandoned construction of the bunker.
The bunker was increased from one to two to accommodate more radiotherapy machines.
Adewole also ensured that there was replacement of the non-functional components of the equipment, its upgrading, increment in bandwidth capacity and installation of the radiotherapy machine, with accompanying training of medical staff in South Africa.
He also got the financial commitment of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company SNEPCO to a tune of over 1 million dollars, for purchase of brand new LINAC radiotherapy equipment.
This will be installed in the second bunker by January 2018.
Also, the NDDC promised to install the same equipment at the Universities of Uyo and Port Harcourt Teaching Hospitals, while the Kano State Governor signified intention to purchase brand new LINAC radiotherapy equipment.
Adewole reassured Nigerians of the commitment of the government to upgrade seven other cancer centres in the 2018 budget to minimise the burden of the disease and associated deaths.
The good outcome of the radiotherapy project at the National Hospital is that about a 100 cancer patients can now use the machine daily, thereby reducing the urge for medical tourism.
The newly installed machine is one of the most advanced and sophisticated technology in the world with standard ratings with what is obtainable in European countries, India and South Africa.
According to the minister, the machine will also have positive effect on other vital organs of the body when precise diagnosis is carried out.
Osinbajo had at the inauguration lauded the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Health and the hospital’s management for making the facility a reality.
She said that the death of close to 15, 000 Nigerians annually was unacceptable and assured Nigerians that the incumbent administration would ensure that qualitative healthcare delivery system was restored.
“With the installation of the machine, there is hope for cancer patients as they will be helped by the facility,’’ she said.
Another milestone to herald the birth of preventive medical practice in the country is the commencement of screening for breast, cervical and prostate cancers for 250,000 Nigerians who are over 50 years by the Federal Ministry of Health.
This will be done at the federal teaching and medical centres in the countries, free of charge.
In addition, there will be purchase of anti-retroviral drugs for 2 million people, conducting of 10,000 free cataract surgeries and free treatment of 800 patients with confirmed diagnosis of Hepatitis C infection.
With these outcomes in the health sector from the APC-led administration, it is estimated that there will be drastic reduction of medical tourism where over 1 billion dollars is estimated to be lost annually.
The Federal Ministry of Health
On Dec. 2, a radiotherapy centre with new Multileave Linear Accelerator, LINAC for cancer treatment was inaugurated at the National Hospital Abuja, by the wife of the Vice-President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo.
The inauguration, no doubt was to reduce the burden of the terminal illness on the country.
The journey to this noble feat began late in 2016 when Adewole paid a working visit to the National Hospital, Abuja, to assess the state of infrastructure and discovered that a brand new radiotherapy machine was purchased and supplied in 2013 but was not installed.
Sadly, Nigeria has the highest concentration of cancer cases in Africa; reports show that 100,000 new cases occurred yearly and 15 per cent deaths are recorded, representing 20 per cent of Africa`s death ratio.
The most unfortunate perspective is that cancer can ravage anyone irrespective of status, age, sex, tribe or religion.
Suffice it to say that Cancer, the name given to a collection of related diseases whereby some of the body’s cells begin to divide without stopping and spread into surrounding tissues, has become one of the most deadly leading causes of death globally.
Recent researches conducted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in collaboration with National Cancer Institute, U.S., reveales that 12.7 million new cases of cancer were discovered in 2008.
The report also shows that 7.6 million cancer related deaths were recorded and as at 2012, the number of deaths globally had increased by 100 per cent to 14 million.
It is also projected that by the end of 2030, 30 million people, representing 39.6 per cent of both men and women living with cancer, were likely to die.
An overview of this frightening analysis further reveals that 56 per cent of the newly reported cancer cases occurred in developing countries, with Africa having the highest number of morbidity and mortality.
This has been attributed to geometric increase in population growth with the commonest of cancers being the cervical, breast, colon and prostate.
But prior to now, the disease has claimed the lives of “unknown’’ Nigerians like Mrs Maria Essien, Dr Kate Ogbeh, Miss Funke Omotayo, Mr Okechukwu Ebizie and Mr Usman Abdullahi.
Also prominent Nigerians like the former Minister of Information in the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, Mrs Dora Akunyili, Mrs Remi Oyo and Dr Nwabu Mgbemena succumbed to cancer.
Some others were the late legal icon, Gani Fawehinmi, President Umaru Musa Yar’adua, a former medical doctor cum human rights activist, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, renowned musician Sunny Okosun, Second Republic Sen. Olushola Saraki, former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Funmilayo Olayinka and wife of former Edo governor, Clara Oshiomole.
To most Nigerians, when cancer strikes, it is accepted as a death sentence, especially with late diagnosis and the high cost of management.
Sadly again, not until recently, there was no single federal health facility where radiotherapy could be performed in Nigeria, especially as the seven Teaching Hospitals with such diagnostic equipment totally are non-functional.
This has made Nigeria to lose foreign exchange to medical tourism to countries like India, U.S., U.K., China, South Africa and even Ghana.
But hope came for cancer patients with the appointment of Prof. Isaac Adewole as the Minister of Health.
Adewole, who was at a time, the President-Elect of the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), promised to build seven state-of-the-arts Centre of Excellence for cancer management.
Having seen that the radiotherapy machine was purchased and supplied in 2013, he conducted investigations into why it was not installed.
The exercise showed that the machine was not assembled or installed, and that it was still in the crate of manufacture and no bunker constructed for its installation.
The minister ensured that timely approval was sought from President Muhammadu Buhari to fast-track the completion of the abandoned construction of the bunker.
The bunker was increased from one to two to accommodate more radiotherapy machines.
Adewole also ensured that there was replacement of the non-functional components of the equipment, its upgrading, increment in bandwidth capacity and installation of the radiotherapy machine, with accompanying training of medical staff in South Africa.
He also got the financial commitment of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company SNEPCO to a tune of over 1 million dollars, for purchase of brand new LINAC radiotherapy equipment.
This will be installed in the second bunker by January 2018.
Also, the NDDC promised to install the same equipment at the Universities of Uyo and Port Harcourt Teaching Hospitals, while the Kano State Governor signified intention to purchase brand new LINAC radiotherapy equipment.
Adewole reassured Nigerians of the commitment of the government to upgrade seven other cancer centres in the 2018 budget to minimise the burden of the disease and associated deaths.
The good outcome of the radiotherapy project at the National Hospital is that about a 100 cancer patients can now use the machine daily, thereby reducing the urge for medical tourism.
The newly installed machine is one of the most advanced and sophisticated technology in the world with standard ratings with what is obtainable in European countries, India and South Africa.
According to the minister, the machine will also have positive effect on other vital organs of the body when precise diagnosis is carried out.
Osinbajo had at the inauguration lauded the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Health and the hospital’s management for making the facility a reality.
She said that the death of close to 15, 000 Nigerians annually was unacceptable and assured Nigerians that the incumbent administration would ensure that qualitative healthcare delivery system was restored.
“With the installation of the machine, there is hope for cancer patients as they will be helped by the facility,’’ she said.
Another milestone to herald the birth of preventive medical practice in the country is the commencement of screening for breast, cervical and prostate cancers for 250,000 Nigerians who are over 50 years by the Federal Ministry of Health.
This will be done at the federal teaching and medical centres in the countries, free of charge.
In addition, there will be purchase of anti-retroviral drugs for 2 million people, conducting of 10,000 free cataract surgeries and free treatment of 800 patients with confirmed diagnosis of Hepatitis C infection.
With these outcomes in the health sector from the APC-led administration, it is estimated that there will be drastic reduction of medical tourism where over 1 billion dollars is estimated to be lost annually.
The Federal Ministry of Health
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