…AstraZeneca, NICRAT launches molecular testing
By Dan-maryam Zayamu
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has said that the formal launch of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) molecular testing will improve cancer care in Nigeria.
He stated this during the formal launch of the initiative in Abuja, yesterday.
The initiative was launched by AstraZeneca in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT).
Represented by his Special Adviser on Research, Lolade Adeyemi, the Minister said the introduction of the EGFR test is the outcome of the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration.
Through the Cancer Care Africa (CCA) initiative, AstraZeneca is partnering with NICRAT to provide patients in Nigeria with an equal chance for cure through early detection, screening, and diagnostics. This initiative is about the present and building a sustainable future for cancer care in Nigeria.
The initiative, delivered under the umbrella of Accelerating Change Together for Cancer Care, is a coalition of technology, policy, research pioneers, and NICRAT seeking to improve the patient cancer journey experience.
The collaboration, according to AstraZeneca, focuses on impactful initiatives across four main pillars which include enhanced screening and diagnostics, capacity and capability building, patient empowerment and access to medicines.
AstraZeneca further explained that under enhanced screening and diagnostics, “AstraZeneca will establish partnerships with Abuja National Hospital, NSIA-LUTH, and the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu in setting linkages for access to molecular testing within Nigeria. The initiative will also explore screening support for patients across breast cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer.”
Under capacity and capability building, it explained, “AstraZeneca, collaborating with the Guandong Academy of Medical Sciences, will provide Nigeria-China cross border capacity building for multi-disciplinary teams from chosen centres of excellence. Additionally, the initiative will enhance pathology expertise through pathologist training across Nigeria and provide oncology training for Healthcare Professionals (HCPs).”
Also, under patient empowerment, it said: “AstraZeneca is deeply committed to working with patient association groups to reach the right communities, focusing on education and awareness.”
Furthermore, on access to medicines, AstraZeneca said that it is unwavering in its commitment to expanding access to innovative treatment and establishing patient support/affordability programs to enable enhanced access for Nigerian patients, insisting that, “this commitment is a testament to our dedication to improving cancer care in Nigeria.”
While highlighting the potentials of the programme, the Country President Africa Cluster of AstraZeneca, Deepak Arora said: “At AstraZeneca, we are committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders, including governments, healthcare professionals, and patient communities, to build resilient healthcare systems and improve access to innovative cancer treatments for patients throughout Africa. This marks a significant milestone in this journey, and we are confident that it will positively impact the lives of many, bringing science to life. This commitment underscores our dedication to empowering patients in their fight against cancer.”
On his part, the Director General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, applauded AstraZeneca for the initiative, describing it as brilliant and timely.
Speaking during the launch of the initiative, Prof. Malami said: “In Nigeria and across Africa, lung cancer is often misdiagnosed as tuberculosis, leading to delayed and ineffective treatment.
“Patients are frequently placed on anti-TB medications for extended periods, only to discover too late that their condition is actually cancer.
“AstraZeneca’s introduction of EGFR testing represents a pivotal advancement in addressing this issue. This new technology will enable more accurate and timely diagnosis, allowing for more effective treatment strategies.”
He, therefore, assured that: “NICRAT which is the leading government agency with the mandate to provide national leadership in cancer research, improve cancer treatment, prevention and care in Nigeria is committed to supporting this initiative to the later.
“With the formal launch of this initiative today by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, NICRAT believes strongly that it will boost our effort towards achieving improved cancer screening and diagnosis, expand access to innovative treatment and also contribute immensely in building the capacity of all categories of experts in the cancer space in Nigeria.”
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