By Jeleel Olawale
The Governor of Osun State, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, has said that early detection of cancer would save lives.
Adeleke made the disclosure at a 3-day symposium commemorating the 10th anniversary of the African Research Group for Oncology (ARGO) at Clinical Skills Lecture Theatre, at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife.
Declaring the event opened, Adeleke, who was represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr Adekunle Akindele, commended the conveners of ARGO.
According to him, the two conveners Prof. Olusegun Alatise and Prof. Peter Kingham, were worthy of emulation for their thoughtfulness and sacrifice for humanity.
While speaking on the theme: “Changing the Cancer Care Landscape in Nigeria: the Role of Innovation, Collaboration and Implementation.”
The keynote speaker, Prof Isaac Adewale, noted that cancer is not a death sentence, but can be managed and treated, if detected early.
Adewole frowned at the medical tourism Nigerians embark on, as he stressed that cancer can be treated and managed in Nigeria and by Nigerians.
He further advocated for more awareness, charging the media and all present to sensitiste the people more.
Also, the Convener, Prof. Olusegun Alatise, appreciated his ARGO team and other colleagues in other departments for gracing the occasion.
Alatise expressed that ARGO is a National Cancer Institute (NCI), and approved Colorectal Cancer Consortium.
He said that he wanted to change the phase of cancer in Nigeria and ensure that every cancer patient gets the same treatment with the cancer patients abroad
He added that surgery can be performed anywhere once the surgeon is well trained and equipped.
“The overall pursuit of ARGO is to improve cancer care in Africa, our training activities are geared towards building the capacity of healthcare providers for improved service delivery.
“In terms of cancer patients’ management as well as building the capacity of the same set of professionals for conducting cutting-edge cancer research.
“The overall goal of these endeavours is to bridge the gap between the quality of cancer care in Africa and that of the development nations,” he expressed.
Present at the event included: The Chief Medical Director, OAUTHC, Prof. John Okeniyi; the Vice- Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Prof Simeon Bamire , represented by the Dep VC, Research, Innovation and Development, Prof. Akanni Akinyemi, Dr Murray Brennan, Snr Vice-President, International Programs, Surgical Oncologist, department of surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, MSKCC, USA.
Others are Dr Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, Former First lady, Kebbi State, and Founder, Medicaid Cancer Foundation; Professor Usman Malami Aliyu, Director General, National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Dr Modupe Elebute-Odunsi, CEO/founder, Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre and Specialist Hospital, Lagos State, amongst others.