BY ADEBAYO AISHAT AJOKE
Nigeria’s Federal Government has announced a collaboration with the private sector to address the growing number of cancer cases in the country. The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made this announcement during a meeting with representatives from Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre & Specialist Hospital in Lagos. The hospital has recently received accreditation from the National Postgraduate Medical College to offer a residency program in clinical and radiation oncology, a first for a private hospital in Nigeria.
Dr. Alausa praised the hospital’s achievement, stating that it represents a significant milestone in Nigeria’s healthcare sector. He emphasized the importance of addressing the critical shortage of oncology specialists in the country and commended the hospital’s efforts to provide first-class postgraduate training in clinical and radiation oncology.
The CEO of Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre, Dr. Modupe Elebute-Odunsi, highlighted the need for increased awareness and education to reduce the vulnerability and exposure of Nigerians to cancer. She expressed her commitment to enhancing the capacity and quality of oncology care in Nigeria.
According to recent data, Nigeria reported 127,763 new cancer cases and 79,542 deaths in 2022, with breast cancer being the most prevalent type. The Federal Government’s collaboration with the private sector aims to improve health outcomes for cancer patients and advance the overall standard of medical care in Nigeria.