According to statistics, over 70,000 persons die of cancer related disease annually in Nigeria. Further analysis indicates that 24,414 men die of the disease while over 41,000 others are female. Worried by this trend and in efforts to change the narrative, a nongovernmental organization, Project PINKBLUE in collaboration with oncology specialists from the United States of America organized training on treatment of cancer for 34 pharmacists across different states in Nigeria. At the Trauma Center, National Hospital Abuja the venue of the training, the Executive Director, Project PINK BLUE, Runcie Chidebe explained that pharmacists were zeroed into the training due to their drug related role in managing the disease. Represented by the Programme Manager, PPB, Gloria Okwu, the executive director advocated need why the federal government must invest more resources in procurement of cancer detection and treatment equipment.
Meanwhile, Speaking to Journalists on the sideline of the training, the two US Based board-certified Fulbright oncology specialists expressed the view that Nigerian government needs to invest adequate resources in facilities, training and retraining of oncology professionals.
The oncology specialists are also of the view that early detection and treatment of cancer remains the surest way to defeat the pandemic.
