Strengthening health system: 34 nurses get training

As part of efforts towards strengthening health systems in Nigeria, the Embassy of the United States of America 34 Nigerian nurses from the Federal Capital Territory, Kebbi and Enugu states, are undergoing one-week training at the National Hospital in Cancer Patient Care. A nurse with the Sarah Cannon Research Institute in Dallas, Texas, Ms. Laurie […]

As part of efforts towards strengthening health systems in Nigeria, the Embassy of the United States of America 34 Nigerian nurses from the Federal Capital Territory, Kebbi and Enugu states, are undergoing one-week training at the National Hospital in Cancer Patient Care.

A nurse with the Sarah Cannon Research Institute in Dallas, Texas, Ms. Laurie Tauriainen, is conducting the training program, which is being organized in collaboration with Project Pink Blue, a non-profit organization led by Mr. Runcie Chidebe, a Nigerian alumnus of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP). 

According to a release by the Embassy, which said Project Pink Blue provides free cancer screenings and targeted outreach to poor, rural communities, Tauriainen is made possible through the U.S. State Department Fulbright Specialist program.

The release said: “Patient navigators are trained to work with patients, families, and physicians to ensure cancer patients’ needs are appropriately and effectively addressed. 

“By helping patients and their families to communicate with elements of the health care system, the navigators aim to assist health care providers diagnose and effectively treat cancer in its early stages.”

According to the release, Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital Dr. J.A.F. Momoh, said the hospital was proud to host the training.  “We have very good systems and facilities for early diagnosis and treatment monitoring. However, this is not enough without someone to navigate.  For me, this is the missing link,” he said.

The release said, Cultural Affairs Officer, Larry Socha, remarked that: “Disease cuts across society no matter who you are – no matter how rich or famous, no matter your race or religion, health challenges – including cancer – touch individuals and families across the spectrum.”  He recalled that President Barack Obama set an ambitious goal in his last State of the Union address earlier this year, “Let’s cure cancer once and for all.” 

Similar to the U.S. space program of the Kennedy era 50 years before, Socha noted that scientists and researchers are working to achieve this goal.