Nigeria Records About 120,000 New Cancer Cases Every Year- NICRAT

NICRAT Advises Nigerians On Cancer Prevention

The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), has stressed the need for all Nigerians to adopt healthy lifestyles to prevent all forms of cancers.

The Director General of NICRAT, Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, stated this at the 7th Annual Conference of the Association of Nigeria Health Journalists (ANHEJ) at Akwanga, Nasarawa State.

The DG who was represented by the immediate past president of ANHEJ, Mr Hassan Zaggi pointed out that available data indicates an estimated 78,000 people died as a result of cancer-related complications in 2020.

”Out of this number, 44,699 were females while 34,200 were males. It is estimated that there are over 120,000 new cancer cases every year in Nigeria.”

According to him,” With these gory statistics, NICRAT is determined to work with all relevant stakeholders to disrupt cancer in Nigeria through intense awareness creation and improved access to treatment and research.”

”We have mapped out strategies to geometrically increase cancer experts in the country through training and retraining of all categories of health professionals,” he said. ALSO READ: Nigeria: WHO To Unveil Country Cooperation Strategy 2023-2027

Prof. Malami Aliyu noted that NICRAT has launched three strategic documents in its commitment and preparedness to disrupt all forms of cancers and ensure those with the illness have access to the best care and support in the country.

”The three documents include National Strategic Cancer Control Plan 2023-2027; National Cancer Research Agenda 2024-2027 and National Strategic Plan for Prevention of Cancer of Uterine Cervix 2023-2027.”

”All these documents have priority areas of action that address governance, prevention, supply chain management, data and research as well as surveillance which are in tandem with the aim of the current leadership of the Ministry of Health to improve the health of all Nigerians,” he noted.

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammed Ali Pate, and the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa for giving cancer care a priority.

”This was demonstrated by the recent movement of the Cancer Trust Fund from the Federal Ministry of Health to NICRAT, this will greatly improve the operation of the Institute to tackle all cancer-related issues.”

The DG therefore solicited the support of the media and critical stakeholders including Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in the cancer space for cancer to be disrupted, defeated, and eradicated in Nigeria in the next few years.