𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗥𝗔𝗧 Pays working visit to 𝗡𝗣𝗛𝗖𝗗𝗔, seeks collaboration to combat cancer burden

The Director General, National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, Prof Usman Malami Aliyu paid a working visit to the 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿/𝗖𝗘𝗢 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆, Dr. Faisal Shu’aib at his office.

While welcoming the DG to his office, Dr Shu’aib highlighted some achievements recorded by his agency in terms of primary healthcare service delivery to the nation with much emphasis to routine immunization and introduction of HPV vaccines to combat cervical cancer among numerous other strides.

The Executive Director also reiterated NPHCDA’s commitment to work closely with 𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗥𝗔𝗧 in creating awareness on cancer and its devastating effects. He further stressed the need for regular screening as a preventive measure to avert further spread of the disease among Nigerians. The ED was also optimistic that a partnership between the two agencies will play a pivotal role in improving primary healthcare service delivery and by extension improves healthcare outcomes in cancer space in the country.

His words: ‘ with NPHCDA and 𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗥𝗔𝗧 joint efforts, the nation is set to witness a new era in cancer prevention, promotion of better healthcare and well-being for all citizens”

Earlier, the Director General, National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, Prof Usman Malami Aliyu, expressed satisfaction on the warm reception accorded his team and commended the ED, NPHCDA, Dr Faisal Shu’aib for all the initiatives he piloted in creating awareness on cancer and its risk factors. Prof Malami lamented his concern on cervical cancer being the second most common cancer in terms of prevalence in the country. He further appreciated NPHCDA’s proactive response in providing the HPV vaccines to protect young girls from HPV infections which constitute a leading cause of cervical cancer. “indeed, this is the beginning of a new dawn in the area of cancer control in Nigeria, our commitments are in line with the efforts of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to provide timely, quality and effective health care service delivery for all Nigerians” Prof Malami added

The two agencies agreed to partner in cancer awareness creation, research and strengthening referral system as well as other activities necessary for combating the scourge of cancer in the country towards reducing cancer burden in Nigeria.