Cancer: Groups call for increase in research

Non- governmental organizations, Project Pink Blue and Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation, have called for an increase in oncology research in the country, in order to reduce the burden of cancer.

According to the Communication and Social Media Lead of PPB, Mr. Chika Joseph, oncology research is a critical mechanism in the ongoing efforts to combat the disease.

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He also noted that Nigeria remained a major contributor to the overall cancer burden on the African continent, which has one of the world’s poorest five years cancer survival rates.

The Chief Executive Officer of ACT, Osayi Alile, said his foundation has supported organisations working at all levels of cancer intervention since its inception.

He also added that the foundation had supported interventions from other organisations, which have helped in areas of advocacy and cancer awareness, and also provided free cancer screenings.

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Healthcare, Tanko Sununu, on his part reiterated on the importance of research in cancer treatment, noting that it would allow the country to review its performance on cancer care.

He said the research would allow the country to check the standard of its impact and proffer solutions on the way forward.

Sununu maintained that there was need to ensure stability in service delivery, and also ensure an increase in budgetary allocation.

A board member and visiting scientist, Global Oncology Group, Institute of Cancer Policy at Kings College, London, United Kingdom, Julie Torode, noted that Nigeria’s impact on cancer research was yet recognized.

According to her, Nigeria had only contributed 19 per cent of the entire cancer research publications in sub-sahara Africa, and 4% in the entire Africa over a 12-year period.

She disclosed that Nigeria’s contribution included academic writings and peer review journals, adding that academic institutions in Africa need to develop independent funding sources, both at federal and philanthropic levels.

Torode highlighted that such ideas would allow African academic institutions to drive their research agenda and become less dependent on international cancer researchers and research funders.

President of Nigeria Medical Association, Dr. Uche Ojinmah, said the organisation is really interested in cancer research in Nigeria.

He noted that most of the data currently in use were from climes with different genetics and social dynamics from Nigeria.

“NMA is working hard to ensure that the welfare of oncologists is a priority and to 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.

A member of the House of Representatives in the 8th National Assembly, Muhammed Usman said Nigeria’s major challenge is lack of policy implementation and noted that not much is being done in that regard.

Usman, who sponsored the bill for the establishment of the National Agency for the Control of Cancer, said to ensure that the new National Institute on Cancer Research and Treatment Centre is successful in its operations, there was the need to create a secretariat to house the institute, promote capacity building programmes for the staff and lastly, create a budget line for its operation.

“Research, especially in the area of cancer is expensive and time-consuming. We need Nigerian researchers to be empowered to be able to conduct world-class research that can be published in renowned international journals,” he added.

The Programme Coordinator of PPB, Mrs. Gloria Okwu, explained that the intention of PPB and ACT Foundations was to drive comprehensive cancer research among the oncology workforce in Nigeria and to pay attention to the need of cancer patients.

“We want Nigerians to do research for Nigerians. We want them to begin to look at our different peculiarities and answer the many questions that plague us through research,” she said.

She also thanked the ACT Foundation and other partners for their unflinching support towards cancer control in Nigeria, and also for their contribution in advocating for the establishment of the
National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment.

Wumi/NAN