By Iyemah David
The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has announced a strategic partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The partnership is to integrate early cancer screening and detection into the country’s Primary Health Care (PHC) framework.
Also announced as part of the partners is the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
Executive Director/CEO of NPHCDA, Dr Muyi Aina who announced the partnership on Monday in Abuja, underscored the importance of enhancing cancer care at the grassroots level.
He stressed the urgent need for effective prevention and treatment strategies, adding that to bolster these efforts, the agency had updated its minimum service package to include affordable cancer-related services at PHCs.
“By expanding our services, we aim to ensure that more Nigerians have access to early screening and detection, which are vital for effective cancer care,” he explained.
Aina said that the collaboration was expected to enhance training for healthcare workers at the community level, enabling them to identify early signs of cancer and refer patients for necessary treatment.
He also said that public awareness campaigns would be vital in educating communities about the importance of regular screening and the services available to them.
The executive director said that with Nigeria facing an alarming cancer crisis, with over 100,000 new cases reported annually, the partnership was a vital strategy in addressing the healthcare challenge.
He said that the NPHCDA aimed to leverage the collaboration to improve cancer detection, and also foster a culture of preventive healthcare across the country.
Earlier, Prof. Sani Malami, who represented the Director-General of the Nigeria Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, highlighted the need for collaboration between NPHCDA and cancer research institutions.
According to Malami, we must work in synergy to clearly define our roles in this fight against cancer.
He commended the NPHCDA for its proactive steps, such as introducing the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which he said played a significant role in preventing cervical and related cancers.
The IAEA Mission Lead, Dr Alfred Karagu, said that PHCs were critical as the first point of contact for many patients.
“Early detection can make a significant difference in treatment outcomes,” he said.
He urged the NPHCDA to continue its efforts in preventing cancer and supporting early intervention initiatives across Nigeria.
