By Damilola Samuel
Nigeria’s capacity to provide radiotherapy for cancer patients is set for expansion as the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) moves to deploy 35 additional Linear Accelerators (LINACs) across the country.
The Director-General of NICRAT, Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, disclosed this at the 9th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Association of Radiation and Clinical Oncologists of Nigeria (ARCON) in Abuja.
The disclosure was contained in a post by NICRAT on its official X handle, where the institute said the project would also include workforce development and the establishment of a local servicing and maintenance hub for the machines.
Aliyu said the plan was part of efforts to improve the availability and quality of cancer treatment in Nigeria, noting that expanding access must go alongside improvements in the way patients receive care.
“Expanding access remains essential, but our goal must be to ensure that every Nigerian with cancer receives timely, coordinated, evidence-based and high-quality care, regardless of geography or socioeconomic circumstances.”
He said achieving that goal would require cancer services to work together rather than operate in isolation.
“Achieving this requires an integrated approach across diagnostics, surgery, systemic therapy, radiotherapy, nuclear medicine, supportive and palliative care, supported by multidisciplinary teams, effective referral pathways and reliable data.”
The NICRAT DG also described ARCON as an important partner in strengthening cancer services, particularly in specialist training, research and clinical care.
“Their expertise is essential as we strengthen standards, build specialist capacity, advance research and clinical trials, and improve referral networks across the country.”
Aliyu made the disclosure while commending ARCON for the theme of its conference, “From Access to Excellence: Optimizing Multi-modality Cancer Care,” which he said aligned with ongoing Federal Government efforts to improve cancer care.
The proposed LINAC deployment is expected to be accompanied by measures to develop the workforce needed to operate and maintain the equipment, as well as a local servicing and maintenance hub.
Aliyu also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, and the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, for their support.
He reaffirmed NICRAT’s commitment to providing national coordination and creating an enabling environment for improved cancer research, treatment and care in Nigeria.
