All is set for the comprehensive detection, treatment, control and management of cancer cases in Nigeria following Federal Government release of 2 million dollars counterpart funding to the International Atomic Energy Agency to expand Nuclear Medicine Services, upgrade and strengthen radiotherapy services in 10 tertiary hospitals.

The Minister of Health, Professor Babatunde Osotimehin made this known in Abuja while playing host to the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), His Excellency, Ambassador Yukiya Amano who was in Nigeria for a two-day working visit.

This development is coming on the heels of Nigeria’s participation at the 53rd General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna. The delegation which was led by Nigeria’s First Lady, Hajia Turai Yar’ Adua canvassed among others for Technical Cooperation between the IAEA and the International Cancer Center. The outcome of this will ensure that, Nuclear medicine, radiotherapy upgrades, a process of technical assistance to residents and other relevant health personnel would be in place in about 23 tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

Specifically, the first phase of the Nuclear Medicine projects will be available in the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, University of Port-Harcourt Teaching Hospital, National Hospital, Abuja and the Federal Medical Center, Gombe, while the upgrading of radiotherapy facilities will be carried out in the National Hospital, Abuja, University of Calabar, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria among others.

Professor Osotimehin reiterated Government’s continuous commitments to the realization of the cancer project within the shortest possible time and also advocated for the Agency’s assistance in the areas of periodic capacity building, Cancer prevention education workshop and technical partnership, observing that prevention will help in cutting cost in regards to the treatment of cancer if detected earlier.

He added that Government has outlined necessary measures to make the system work, stressing that government demonstrates seriousness in harnessing collaborative effort in terms of capacity building in partnership with IAEA.
The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in his remarks described Nigeria as a “better partner” to IAEA considering her leadership role and impact created in neighboring African countries and the level of seriousness and commitment demonstrated  in the fight against cancer.

Ambassador Yukiya who was visiting Nigeria for the first time since his appointment as the DG of IAEA announced that 40% of technical support of IAEA in Nigeria is in the of health sector and promised to advocate support for Nigeria in the next Scientific Conference Agency with available technical support in capacity building and safety regulation of the use of the equipment from agencies like JICA, WHO among others.

Niyi Ojuolape
SA (Communications) to the Minister
Federal Ministry of Health
Abuja

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