FOUNDER and Director, African Cancer Centre (ACC), Lagos State, Professor Femi Williams, has described cancer as a potential weapon of mass destruction that except human capacity is promptly built in Nigeria, mere embarking on construction of cancer treatment centres may be futile.
Professor Williams, in a press release to mark 2016 World Cancer Day, stated that this was a herculean task that must be taken seriously in order to make a meaningful impact on cancer care and management in the nation.
According to him, although the current government and past administrations had given some prominence to cancer, the dismal failure of the nation in the field of oncology continues to fuel capital flight and promote suffering and premature death of cancer patients.
He added, “It is very comforting to note that there is a bill on the floor of Senate to establish a National Cancer Institute. In all fairness to the last administration and for the records, an appropriation of N400 million was approved as seed money by Senate for the establishment of the African Cancer Centre and signed into Law by President Goodluck Jonathan, but the Ministry of Health failed to implement the provision despite all efforts by the ACC.
“The first lady, Turai Yaradua, also made considerable efforts to establish a National Cancer Institute in Abuja, about 10 years ago, and up to date, this has not seen the light of the day despite several editorials published on this spirited attempt to reduce morbidity and mortality from cancer.
“The question that is begging for an answer is that why this nation is unable to boast of a national cancer facility that will carry out relevant research, embark of massive vaccination against cancer in the population and most important by detect and treat cancer patients with good outcomes.
“The dismal failure of the nation in the field of oncology continues to fuel capital flight and promote suffering and premature death of cancer patients.
“This is one disease that no one from outside will come and help the nation. We have to do it ourselves, particularly as we now have an administration in the USA that puts Americans first,” he declared.
Professor Williams declared that although several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) were doing marvelous work on cancer awareness creation, “There is still a great need for institutionalising effective care as envisioned by the African Cancer Centre. Black lives must be made to matter when it comes to cancer care and management.”
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