The fight against cancer in Nigeria received a boost weekend with the inauguration of a second linear Radiotherapy Machine by Vice president Yemi Osinbajo to ease access to cancer treatment especially by indigent patients at subsidized cost.
Medical Experts have attributed the rising cancer scourge which statistics stands at over 72,000 annually to limited access to health care treatment and high cost of available few. With the commissioning of the second machine at the National Hospital Abuja on Friday, it is expected that access to treatment will be widened, better and faster, health experts said.
The availability of a second machine is expected to not only improve access to cancer treatment, but reduce medical tourism which costs the country about $I billion.
“With the new Radiotherapy machine, the Elekta Synergy Linear Accelerator (LINAC), we will be able to take indigent patients, because we are currently stretched when we see indigent patients,” Chief medical Director (CMD), National Hospital, Jaf Momoh speaking at the inauguration.
“This is in addition to social assessment to by the Federal ministry of health that our medical social welfare use for rebate, discount and waivers. We will continue to use these to ensure that indigent patients treated on this machine.”
Momoh added that the National Hospital will continue to offer treatment at subsidized rates. He noted that it costs over $10,000 to get cancer treatment outside Nigeria, but Nigerians will access treatment for less than $2,000. He however informed that the subsidized price does not extend to foreigners.
The CMD recalled that the first LINAC was commissioned in May 2000 at the National Hospital but became obsolete and another machine commissioned in 2017. He said since the commissioning the centre has treated 850 patients in over 25,000 cycles of Radiotherapy sessions which usually lasts fifteen minutes, he however said that with the two machines it will now take two minutes per session.
He described the machine produced in collaboration with JNC international as state of the art which offers and efficient treatment.
The vice President, who was represented by the permanent secretary, federal ministry of health, while inaugurating the cancer treatment machine said cancer management has been a nightmare for health care providers due to the high cost of treatment and the late presentation by cancer patients.
Osinbajo pointed out that cancer is a leading cause of morbidity worldwide the disease is still on the increase. He said, “available statistics show that by the end of 2030, cancer cases are projected to reach 21.7 million annually world wide and 70 percent of this number will be in developing countries. 13 million people will die from cancer annually worldwide and one million cancer cases will occur in the African region.
Osinbajo while noting that cancer prevention is more economical than it’s treatment, expressed regrets that most patients however present late due to lack of awareness, interpretation of cancer diseases and inadequate screening Centres. According to him, early presentation, lifestyle modification will improve the fight against the disease.
The Vice president howevere expressed hope that the new cancer treatment machine will bring succour to indigent patients. He also reassured that the Federal Government is committed to tackling the cancer scourge in the country.
He informed that two LINAC machines will be procured and installed in Zaria and Ibadan.
The Managing Director, JNC international, Clare Omatsaye pointed out that 70 percent of cancer patients needs Radiotherapy. According her, the new Radiotherapy machine which has 160 MLC with VMAT is the best in Nigeria.
She informed that JNC has trained the consultants on use of the machine. She added that the use of the machine does not put other organs at risk.
The managing director, Shell Nigeria and Production Companies (SNEPCo) Back Ojulari said in a hid to ensure proper maintenance of the machine, an advisory committe made up of SNEPCo, National Hospital and a representative from the Federal ministry of health will govern and put monitoring and maintenance plan in place to ensure the facility is operates in a sustainable manner.
The Radiotherapy machine is donated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and SNEPCo.
Godsgift Onyedinefu
