‘Inadequate trained personnel still a challenge for cancer care in Nigeria’

Experts have identified the dearth of trained personnel as one of the challenges still bedevilling cancer care in the country. They stated this during the training of 34 pharmacists on cancer treatment by the United States Fulbright Specialist training programme in collaboration with Project PINKBLUE, a non-governmental organisation in Abuja. The training, which is tagged […]

Experts have identified the dearth of trained personnel as one of the challenges still bedevilling cancer care in the country.

They stated this during the training of 34 pharmacists on cancer treatment by the United States Fulbright Specialist training programme in collaboration with Project PINKBLUE, a non-governmental organisation in Abuja.

The training, which is tagged upgrade oncology, was facilitated by two United States-based board-certified Fulbright specialists; Prof Donald Harvey and Prof Cindy L. O’Bryant.

Ramatu-Masud Alabelewe, President, Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners Association of Nigeria, said the dearth of trained personnel inspired the training to build the capacity of more health workers in cancer care.

She said other challenges include the high cost of treatment and poor funding for cancer care.

She said Project PINKBLUE, since 2013, initiated the upgrade oncology programme in partnership with stakeholders and the ministry of health to improve the oncology workforce in different fields.

US-based board-certified Fulbright specialist and trainer at the programme, Mrs Cindy Bryant, said pharmacists are very critical points of care in oncology (cancer treatment).

She said, “Without oncology pharmacists, patients will not get the right treatment.”

Donald Harvey, also a trainer from Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta Georgia, said the training was geared towards equipping pharmacists in cancer treatment as well as building relationship with patients for effective management 

Project PINKBLUE programme Coordinator Gloria Owe called on government to increase investment in cancer care.

While commending government for releasing the cancer health fund for 2020 and 2021, she said cancer patients were yet to access the money.