By Muhammad Amaan
The Coordinator of the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN), Dr Aminu Magashi Garba was inaugurated alongside 34 others as members of the National Working Group of Nuclear Medicine (NM-TWG) in Nigeria.
Dr Magashi’s appointment into the group was contained in a letter addressed to him on January 23, and signed by Dr Jimoh O. Salaudeeen, Director of Hospital Services at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
“The National Nuclear Medicine Technical Working Group (NM-TWG) has been reactivated by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to serve as an advisory Group for policy development and seamless implementation of National Nuclear Medicine Programme to ensure improved access to Nuclear Medicine in the country.
“In consideration of expertise and the role of your organisation in the provision/regulation of safe use of Radioactive substances for diagnoses and treatment of diseases including cancers, the Honourable Minister of State for Health has approved your nomination to serve as a member of the National Nuclear Medicine Technical Working Group,” part of the letter read.
The Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, inaugurated the Committee on Tuesday at an event in Abuja, to mark the 2025 World Cancer Day with the theme: “United by Unique” reminding them of the huge task ahead.
He said the TWG will also serve as an advisory body to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on development and implementation of Nuclear Medicine services in the country, and also strengthen collaborative efforts with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other international agencies.
“One of the major areas of disease management including cancer care that we are lagging behind is in the area of Nuclear Medicine services. As a country, we developed very robust initiatives including partnering with IAEA to develop a nuclear medicine programme in Nigeria.
“The National Nuclear Medicine Management Committee did their best and facilitated training of several Nuclear Medicine physicians and other allied healthcare professionals.
“But due to lack of requisite infrastructure, we lost more than half of the trained physicians to other countries. It’s in our commitment to health security that we approved the reconstitution of the National Nuclear Medicine Technical Working Group to serve as an advisory body to the Ministry on development and implementation of Nuclear Medicine services in the country.”
The minister said the ministry has recorded several unique achievements in the quest to address cancer challenges ranging from primary prevention through vaccination, early detection, prompt treatment and research, adding that the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) is leading the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination for primary prevention of cancer of the Cervix as well as the hepatitis immunization for prevention of liver cancers thus focusing preventive attention on the second and fourth most common cancers in Nigeria.
“While the vaccination for viral hepatitis has been on the National Programme on immunization, HPV Vaccination was introduced in 2023. Over 12 million girls have received HPV vaccine, and efforts are ongoing to improve on the successes recorded so far.”
He enjoined parents, opinion leaders and all stakeholders to take advantage of the immunization programmes to prevent vaccine preventable cancers.
Dr Salako added that the government is also exploring a unique approach to cancer care through health insurance coverage for cancers stressing that, in accordance with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act 2022, the NHIA has developed a robust implementation plan for Catastrophic Health Insurance which shall support patients with end stage renal diseases, sickle cell disease and cancers.
“The Catastrophic Health Insurance will benefit from the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) and other funding mechanisms within the NHIA, while the Ministry will give NHIA all the necessary support to seamlessly implement the Catastrophic Health Insurance,” he added.
The newly inaugurated a 35-member National Nuclear Medicine Technical Working Group (NM-TWG) will be chaired by Dr Ololade Kehinde, a Nuclear Medicine Physician and Special Assistant (Technical) to the Minister of State for Health, to assist the government develop durable working strategies that will enhance cancer care in Nigeria.
According to the government, the move became necessary following the rising cancer cases among Nigeria population, and the need for a new approach that will bring improved results.
The NM-TWG comprises nuclear medicine physicians, relevant training, regulatory institutions and agencies involved in cancer care, financing and research bodies, civil society groups, equipment manufacturers, other relevant professional bodies and cancer advocates.
President, Nigeria Cancer Society (NCS), Prof. Abidemi Omonisi, told the gathering that people at the rural communities are faced with lots of difficulties in accessing cancer care because of the uneven spread of inadequate manpower and equipment.
He also highlighted the poor interest/attitude of State governors to the cause of cancer treatment in Nigeria. “Most of the Governors think that cancer care is solely the responsibility of the federal government, hence they often shift the responsibilities to the federal government.”
He appealed to the Minster to approach the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) for adequate enlightenment, and also push for their buy-in into the efforts of the government to improve cancer care for millions of Nigerians who come down with different kinds of cancer ailment, annually.
