
By Dan-Maryam Zayamu
The need for all experts in cancer care to work together for the good of the patient has, again, been reiterated. This is as the Director General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, has advocated for what he described as multi-disciplinary treatment of cancers.
He made the call when the leadership of the Association of Urological Surgeons, Nigeria (NAUS), led by their president, Prof. Nuhu K. Dakum, paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja on Wednesday.
He insisted that for Nigerians to get the best of cancer care and treatment, all disciplines that have affiliations with cancer care must work together in close synergy.
Prof. Malami regretted that prostate cancer is a source of concern in the country, as according to him, “it is a huge menace in Nigeria.”
He disclosed that NICRAT is currently putting finishing touches in its efforts at establishing cancer registry in Nigeria.
While reiterating the commitment of the Institute to work closely with all stakeholders and professional bodies in the cancer space both locally and internationally, the NICRAT Director General said that the Institute is open for collaboration in all areas of cancer care, prevention and treatment.
He assured the NAUS leadership of the readiness of NICRAT to work with them for the good of all Nigerians.
On the NAUS 2024 conference, Prof. Malami assured that NICRAT will be heavily represented at the event which is billed to take place in November.
Earlier, the President of NAUS, Prof. Nuhu Dakum, commended the NICRAT Director General for the good work the Institute is currently doing in its effort at fighting all forms of cancers to a stand-still in Nigeria.
He explained that NAUS is the umbrella body of all practicing urologists in Nigeria.
The aim of the visit, he disclosed, is to collaborate with NICRAT in the area of diagnosis and treatment of prostate, bladder and kidney cancers.
Other areas of collaboration, he further explained, include research in urological cancer, share ideas and resources, massive awareness campaign targeted at the prevention of urological cancers, screening programs, capacity building initiatives, cancer registry and patient support drive.
Also speaking, the NICRAT Directors of Clinical Services, Prof. Musa Aliyu Gombe and that of Cancer Prevention and Control, Dr. Usman Waziri, commended the NAUS leadership for the visit, noting that it will, no doubt, improve cancer care in the country.
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