During a recent visit to the state-of-the-art Asi Ukpo Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Calabar, Dr. Adamu Alhassan Umar, President of the Nigerian Cancer Society, emphasized the country’s significant lag in providing adequate equipment and facilities for cancer treatment.
While acknowledging the Centre’s efforts in combating the cancer crisis, Dr. Umar highlighted the persistently high burden of cancer in Nigeria. Despite the Federal Government’s establishment of a National Institute of Cancer Research and Treatment to improve data collection and advocacy, cancer treatment remains prohibitively expensive, affecting not only the poor but also the wealthy.
The Nigerian Cancer Society is urging increased investment in cancer care to address the nation’s significant challenges in this area.
He added, “We can address the fund gap by the government doing the needful in creating the right infrastructure and empowering organisations to push for effective cancer care.
“The cancer health fund meant to cater for indigent breast, cervical and prostate cancer patients should be expanded to accommodate more cancers and more hospitals including private hospitals like Asi Ukpo Comprehensive Cancer Centre.
“Part of our suggestions as a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) is to have big cancer centres both public and privately owned, access this fund so that vulnerable Nigerians can benefit,” he stated.
The Chairperson, Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Kaduna Chapter, Dr Aisha Mustapha, further, expressed delight that a private facility may provide comprehensive cancer care in Nigeria.
“I see a High Dynamic Range (HDR), brachytherapy machine and a linac radiotherapy machine, which are state of the art,” she stated.
Cancer survivor and advocate Mustapha passionately emphasized the urgent need for more comprehensive cancer care facilities like Asi Ukpo Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Nigeria. He believed that this would greatly benefit the countless women who require proper and effective cancer treatment.
The Executive Director of the centre, Mr. Yegwa Ukpo, was deeply honored by the society’s visit, seeing it as a testament to the centre’s dedication to the cancer community. However, he acknowledged that their work was far from over. The centre’s vision is to expand and become a one-stop-shop for cancer care, offering a wide range of services including paediatric cancer treatment, brachytherapy, surgical interventions, and radiotherapy for non-cancerous conditions.
Despite their progress, Mr. Ukpo highlighted the significant challenges they face. Many patients struggle to afford the life-saving treatments, and the centre is working tirelessly to find solutions. They are exploring potential links with the Federal Government’s Cancer Health Fund to make treatment more accessible and affordable for all.
Furthermore, securing funds to transform the centre into a world-class, all-inclusive cancer care facility remains a pressing concern. Mr. Ukpo and his team are determined to overcome this hurdle, driven by their unwavering commitment to providing exceptional care and support to those affected by cancer.
