By Justina Auta
The Federal government has trained health workers nationwide on contemporary methods of early detection and treatment of cancer to reduce its mortality rates.
Prof. Usman Aliyu, Director-General, National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) said this on Thursday in Abuja.
Aliyu spoke during a three-day national training workshop for different sub-specialties in cancer care at secondary and tertiary health care facilities.
He said that the training would improve access to care and treatment, and close the inadequacy in cancer workforce by equipping them with contemporary trends in early detection and management of the disease.
According to him, the training was on cancer immunotherapy, colorectal cancer surgery, train – the – trainer on identification of the signs and symptoms of childhood cancer.
He said that the training also covered critical thinking and research in oncology nursing.
“The institute also trained health workers on early detection and management of chronic Hepatitis B and C and Liver cancer across Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
“Also, over 1,000 healthcare workers across the six geo-political zones were trained on Biomedical Engineers and Medical Physicists.
“There was also training on Psycho Oncology for healthcare workers at the tertiary health care level, and training on Cervical Cancer Screening and Referral,” he said.
According to him, today’s trainings will add value to the skills and knowledge of our teaming healthcare workers for greater productivity.
“NICRAT is doing everything humanly possible, including capacity building of all category of cancer workforce, to deliver on its mandates in cancer research, treatment, prevention and control.
“This is with a view to prevent, diagnose and treat our people from all forms of cancers related diseases, “ he said.
The D-G, therefore, urged the participants to take advantage and tap from the reservoir of knowledge and experiences gathered by the resource persons over the years to better healthcare services.
Dr Garzali Ibrahim-Umar, Surgical Oncologist, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano said that a lot of people were presently dying from cancer.
“But with this training, hopefully, that reduces, because with improved surgical care, there is also improved survival among our patients,” he said.
Dr Ayorinde Folasire, Consultant Radiation Oncologist, University College Hospital, Ibadan, urged the participants to cascade the lessons learnt to other colleagues to improve healthcare services.
Mr Marcus Bulus, Deputy Director, Pharmaceutical Services, Oncology Pharmacy, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, said that the training would build their capacity on ensuring that patients benefited from the drugs been administered.
“This is because we deal with very expensive drugs, and in this part of the world, most of our patients pay out of pocket.
“And as a pharmacist, one of my major responsibilities is to ensure that these drugs, in addition to accessibility, are properly used,” he said.
Nana-Hauwa Lawal, Course Coordinator, Oncology Nursing School,National Hospital, Abuja, said that childhood cancer was usually difficult to detect due to certain conditions.
“Childhood cancer affects children, but because some of its symptoms and that of other diseases are similar, it is usually difficult to identify it on time.
“But this workshop has empowered us with skills to be able to identify some of those symptoms. When you suspect it, then refer them for some test,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of participants, Mustapha Aliyu, Facilitator in Oncology Nursing, Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, said that it would broaden their expertise.
He said that would also inspire them to contribute more effectively to the fight against cancer.”
NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA