- The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment plans to establish preventive cancer clinics across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones
- NICRAT aims to address the scarcity of cancer screening facilities by equipping select tertiary hospitals with essential equipment and trained professionals
The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) is set to establish preventive cancer clinics in all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, Director General of NICRAT, unveiled this plan during a recent health journalists’ retreat in Abuja, which the institute and the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH) co-hosted.
Aliyu highlighted the scarcity of dedicated cancer screening facilities in Nigeria and stressed the importance of addressing this gap. The planned clinics in select tertiary hospitals will boast trained healthcare professionals and essential equipment like mammography and ultrasound machines.
“Our aim is to provide accessible screening and preventive services,” stated Aliyu. He emphasized the significance of preventive measures in combating cancer and underscored the agency’s commitment to this approach.
Furthermore, NICRAT is collaborating with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to equip healthcare workers at the primary care level with the necessary skills to deliver basic cancer services.
In addition to expanding access to screening, NICRAT is working on establishing a centralized national cancer registry. This initiative aims to enhance data management for cancer cases nationwide, facilitating more effective strategies for prevention and treatment.