Concerned about the rising incidence of pediatric cancers in Nigeria, stakeholders in the nation’s health sector, including foreign oncologists, have initiated discussions on prioritizing the disease that the country is grappling to contain.
This collaborative effort between the federal government and St. Jude Global, a United States-based hospital, comes amid estimates that 30,000 children are diagnosed with cancer annually, with 80 percent of them residing in low and middle-income countries like Nigeria.
The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) organized a two-day National Stakeholders Prioritization Workshop in Abuja to address this pressing issue. The stakeholders emphasized the need for comprehensive support for children affected by cancer in the country.
Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Health, expressed the significance of the workshop in Nigeria’s efforts to tackle childhood cancers. He noted that the government’s partnership with St. Jude Global, a renowned global health institution, would significantly contribute to achieving the country’s healthcare goals.
Dr. Alausa stated, “This gathering is extremely important in cancer care in Nigeria. St Jude Global is a very big organization; it is a major institution in cancer care, so having a partner like St. Jude Global is going to go a step further in helping us as a country achieve success in cancer care. They have the experience, and we want to learn from them on some of the experiences that would help us in cancer care.”
Prof. Usman Aliyu Malami, the Director-General of NICRAT, highlighted childhood cancer as a deeply concerning issue requiring urgent attention and collective action in Nigeria. He described the workshop as an opportunity for stakeholders to prioritize and strategize specific needs for childhood cancer care in the country.
He added, “Through open dialogue, collaboration, and innovation, we aim to develop a roadmap that will guide our efforts in improving the diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care for children affected by cancer.”