The Director General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, has expressed his determination to work closely with the Musculoskeletal Oncology Society of Nigeria (MOSON), to improve cancer care.

He stated this when a delegation from MOSON led by its President, Prof. Samuel Eyesan, visited him in Abuja on Wednesday, December 11, 2024.

Prof. Malami reiterated that NICRAT values the contributions of all stakeholders and professionals in the health sector, hence, it’s determination to work with them to improve cancer care in the country.

He assured that NICRAT is open to partnerships, advice and suggestions from medical experts to ensure that the incidences of cancers are reduced to insignificant level in Nigeria.

He commended the leadership of MOSON for the visit, nothing that orthopedic oncology will be given the needed attention by the Institute.

Earlier, the President of MOSON, Prof. Samuel Eyesan, explained that the objectives of the Society, among others, include to promote, develop and project the practice, science and art of Musculoskeletal Oncology in Nigeria; to promote collaboration and affiliation with recognized national and international bodies in the field of musculoskeletal oncology and to position the country as a hub for the treatment of musculoskeletal tumors in the West African sub-region.

MOSON therefore urged NICRAT to incentivize training in orthopedic oncology through scholarship and fellowship; include orthopedic oncology centers in Cancer Health Fund (CHF) financing and Cancer Access Partnership (CAP) programmed and the inclusion of orthopedic oncology centers in the comprehensive cancer treatment centers.

Other requests are the inclusion of orthopedic oncology centers in the National Cancer Registry network; establishment of a permanent channel of communication between NICRAT and MOSON for enhanced collaboration towards improved cancer care for cancer patients in Nigeria and the inclusion of musculoskeletal oncology in the strategic plan to enable access to funding and support for research activities on prevention, early detection and management of sarcomas.