2nd Edition of Oncology Summit
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
Following the success of the maiden edition of its oncology summit in 2023, MedServe, the wholly owned healthcare subsidiary of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) on Wednesday convened critical stakeholders at the second edition of the Summit in Abuja.
The Summit themed “Enhancing the Oncology Workforce in Nigeria” chaired by the coordinating Minister of Health & Social Welfare, Prof Ali Pate, with the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun as the special guest of honour sought to explore possibilities to bridge the manpower gaps in the oncology practice, optimise outcomes for people living with cancer and ultimately shape the future of cancer care in Nigeria.
Key objectives of MedServe’s Oncology Summit included expanding residency training in Oncology, establishing post graduate degree on Oncology Pharmacy and advocating for federal recognition of Medical Physics and Therapy Radiography among others.
At the Summit, key stakeholders noted the growing prevalence of cancer cases in Nigeria and called attention to the pivotal role of collaboration as well as strategic partnerships that must be present between medical professionals, regulators, policy makers, the academia as well as the private sector to fight cancer.
While speaking at the summit, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer NSIA Mr Aminu Umar-Sadiq, represented by the Executive Director and Chief Investment Officer NSIA, Mr Kolawole Owodunni noted that “an equipped workforce, relevant training programmes and strategic collaborations, can ensure positive outcomes for people living with cancer in Nigeria. MedServe remains committed to leveraging medical infrastructure investments, trainings programmes and pivotal collaborations to unlock access to world class oncology care in Nigeria ”
Also speaking, Vice President Global Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre and Keynote speaker Dr Bob Li called attention to the importance of collaborations, sustained clinical trails and leapfrog technologies to expand possibilities in oncology care.
Additionally, the MD of MedServe Dr Tolulope Adewole said “Strengthening Nigeria’s oncology workforce ensures faster diagnoses, advanced treatments, and improved patient outcomes, transforming the cancer care landscape for a healthier future. At MedServe, our focus is to ensure equitable access to high quality oncology care for all Nigerians.”
To demonstrate its ongoing focus on improving healthcare outcomes in oncology, NSIA, through MedServe set up the NSIA-LUTH Cancer Centre (NLCC) in 2019. NLCC has so far attended to over 11,000 people and expanded possibilities for Nigerians living with cancer.
Additionally, MedServe also runs the NSIA – Kano Diagnostic Centre (NKDC) and the NSIA -Umuahia Diagnostic Centre (NUDC) co-located in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital and the Federal Medical Centre Umuahia respectively.
Following the success of these demonstration projects and to further deepen access to healthcare, MedServe rolled out the health care expansion programme through which it aims to establish 3 additional oncology centres, 7 catheterization laboratories and 23 diagnostic centres across the six geo-political zones of Nigeria.
To officially signal the commencement of the first phase of its healthcare expansion programme, MedServe recently concluded its groundbreaking ceremony in Bauchi State.
Through medical infrastructure investments, research and development, advocacy, as well as strategic collaborations with critical stakeholders, MedServe continues to take bold strides in the fight against cancer to create a healthier future for all Nigerians.