Federal Gov’t, AstraZeneca Partner To Boost Cancer Patients’ Care In Nigeria

AstraZeneca, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) and the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), has announced a significant milestone in the fight against cancer in Nigeria.

Through the Cancer Care Africa (CCA) initiative, AstraZeneca is partnering with NICRAT to provide every patient with an equal chance for cure through early detection, screening, and diagnostics. The initiative was about the present and building a sustainable future for cancer care in Nigeria.

The initiative, delivered under the umbrella of Accelerating Change Together for Cancer Care, is a coalition of technology, policy, research pioneers, and NICRAT seeking to improve the patient cancer journey experience. This collaboration focuses on impactful initiatives across four main pillars: Enhanced Screening and Diagnostics; Capacity and Capability Building; Patient Empowerment and Access to Medicines.

Country President, African Cluster at AstraZeneca, Deepak Arora, in a press statement, made available to LEADERSHIP, highlighted the programme’s potential, adding that, “At AstraZeneca, we are committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders, including governments, healthcare professionals, and patient communities, to build resilient healthcare systems and improve access to innovative cancer treatments for patients throughout Africa. This marks a significant milestone in this journey, and we are confident that it will positively impact the lives of many, bringing science to life. This commitment underscores our dedication to empowering patients in their fight against cancer.”

On his part, the director-general of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, applauded AstraZeneca for the initiative, describing it as brilliant and timely. “NICRAT which is the leading government agency with the mandate to provide national leadership in cancer research, improve cancer treatment, prevention and care in Nigeria is committed to supporting this initiative to the later.

“With the formal launch of this initiative today by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, NICRAT believes strongly that it will boost our effort towards achieving improved cancer screening and diagnosis, expand access to innovative treatment and also contribute immensely in building the capacity of all categories of experts in the cancer space in Nigeria,” Aliyu affirmed.

Cancer Care Africa is AstraZeneca’s response to the growing cancer burden on the African continent, and the company aims to successfully collaborate and partner with government entities, NGOs, medical societies, and patient advocacy groups to address the urgent need for action.