Surgeons lament inadequate cancer care experts, facilities

The  International College of Surgeons, Nigeria Section, has, at the end of its 2024 AGM/Scientific Conference, with the theme, “Current Trends and Challenges to Surgical Oncology Practice,” and Sub-themes; “Insecurity and Delivery of Surgical Services and Minimal Access Surgery,” revealed that early detection and treatment of the various types of known cancers is key to achieving cure, although therapy also exists to improve the length and quality of life of late presenters, in whom cure is no longer possible.

The college called for significant government support to ameliorate specialised cancer care which is capital-intensive globally. This will give the masses access to quality care.

The ICS-NS, also expressed worry over the inequitable distribution of experts and facilities for cancer care, with the complete absence of high-end specialised services in Akwa Ibom and many other states across the federation, lamenting that even the regular screening programs for the few cancers that have reliable early detection tests have not been well implemented. 

These were contained in a communique issued at the end of the meeting in Uyo,  the Akwa Ibom State capital and jointly signed by the ICS-NS National President, Professor Akanimo Essiet, and the Assistant Secretary Dr. Christian Madubueze.

The communique stressed the need for adequate funding and equitable distribution of cancer care and other high-end medical services in the country, emphasising the need for both the federal and state governments to adequately fund public facilities, to cater to the less privileged. 

ICS-NS also lamented that the ‘Japa’ phenomenon, caused by poor remuneration, loss of job satisfaction, and insecurity, has made it difficult for millions of Nigerians to see a doctor and has drastically reduced the healthcare workforce, making the doctor-to-patient ratio in Nigeria, 1:9,083 instead of 1:600 as recommended by the WHO. 

The College maintained that insurable treatments and procedures under the National Health Insurance Scheme should be widened, to capture some critical, specialized, services. 

Also, affordability and ease of access to capital should be ensured for investors in the health sector, to facilitate the reversal of medical tourism and in so doing, enable proper harnessing of a veritable and significant source of income for the country. 

The College called on states and local governments to attract and keep healthcare workers by providing good healthcare facilities, good roads, improved power supply, access to potable water, good schools, and access to telecommunications. 

On the security situation in the country, the ICS-NS called on the government to decisively deal with insecurity which is negatively impacting on the health of Nigerians.

On his part, the President of the International College of Surgeons- Nigeria Section, Professor Akanimo Essiet, said the conference would enable the college chart a clear path for meaningful practice of the Surgical and allied arts, especially of the humanitarian genre, by Fellows of the College.

He added that the theme was carefully chosen to interrogate the current state of the practice of surgery and allied arts in the sub-region, the prevailing challenges, and the possibilities available for extenuating and/or mitigating such challenges.

His words, “This is our 57th annual meeting. The numeration immediately tells that the ICS-NS is fairly ‘elderly.’ As would be expected, in the course of those 57 years, the collective efforts of Fellows have seen the college grow into a strong, stable, and respected section of the global body. The global president has in his goodwill message to us, elucidated the core mandate of the ICS as being in the main, ‘Humanitarian…”

READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE 

• Nnamdi Kanu: 50 Federal Lawmakers write President Tinubu

• NiMet predicts 3-day rainfall across Nigeria from Sunday

• How unregistered tiger nut drink caused cholera outbreak in Lagos