A Non-Governmental Organization, Project Pink Blue Health and Psychological Trust Centre, has called on the Federal, State Governments, and private sectors to invest in advanced cancer technologies, precision medicine, and medical equipment instead of just building hospitals.
The Executive Director of Project Pink Blue, Runcie Chidebe, while speaking at the 10th year of hosting World Cancer Day activities in Nigeria, said, “Today, we are calling on the Federal and State governments and all other private sectors to invest in advanced cancer technologies, precision medicine, targeted therapy, and medical equipment instead of just building hospitals.”
He added that building beautiful cancer hospitals is good, but buildings alone cannot save cancer patients or reduce the burden of cancer in Nigeria, nor give cancer patients the best treatment.
“It is excellent cancer equipment such as PET CT scans, brachytherapy, and newer radiotherapy machines that can be used to detect and treat patients effectively.
“It is advanced medicines such as precision medicine, including targeted therapy, that can target the cancerous tumour that is most needed in Nigeria.
“It is the empowerment of the cancer workforce, such as doctors, nurses, pharmacists, pathologists, and other professionals who would operate the machines and prescribe the medicines that would save cancer patients.
“Instead of just building, the government and private sector partners should invest in the existing cancer centres and hospitals and use the funds for buying blocks and aluminium to purchase the equipment, precision medicine, advanced medicines, and workforce.”
Also, the Programme Coordinator of Project Pink Blue, Gloria Okwu, who is a breast cancer survivor, explained that this is Project Pink Blue’s 10th year of hosting World Cancer Day activities in Nigeria.
“Since 2015, we have been mobilising and bringing people in Abuja together to raise awareness and advocate for better cancer care in Nigeria.
“For the past 10 years, we have brought together over 20,000 Nigerians to our walk, provided over 5,000 cancer screenings, and supported over 500 cancer patients.
“We have propelled advocacies that have led to the improvement of government policies for better cancer control, including the advocacy for the establishment of the National Institute on Cancer Treatment and Research (NICRAT) and the Cancer Health Fund.”
“This year’s World Cancer Day theme is ‘UNITED BY UNIQUE.’ As a cancer survivor myself, this year’s theme resonates with me greatly.
“It means that cancer is more than just a medical diagnosis; cancer is a deeply personal matter, and behind every diagnosis lies a unique human story; this could be a story of grief, pain, healing, resilience, love, and otherwise.
“For this reason, every cancer is unique, and we must be united to create a world where we look beyond the disease and see the person before the patient.
“Hence, the government and all partners in cancer care and treatment should adopt a patient-centred approach to cancer care and treatment and not a one-size-fits-all approach,” she added.
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