Dr Abidemi Omonisi, Consultant Pathologist, revealed that Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) recorded 300 child cancer cases in one year.

Omonisi made this statement on Tuesday in Abuja at the in-country mission Programme Action for Cancer Therapy (imPACT) review.

imPACT, a division of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), assesses countries’ cancer control capabilities, identifies challenges, and informs them of gaps to aid future cancer control plans and implementation.

According to Omonisi, the recorded cases indicate an increase in childhood cancers in Nigeria, warranting prominence and attention.

As former Acting Director of the National System of Cancer Registry at the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Omonisi noted that focus had primarily been on breast, cervical, and prostate cancers.

“However, our registry data shows that children also suffer from cancer, including inherited cases.

“During my consultancy visit to LUTH, we discovered a changing trend.

“Previously dominant Burkitt lymphoma has given way to methodological malignancy, specifically leukemia.”

Omonisi said that the LUTH registry would serve as Nigeria’s first population-based childhood cancer registry, providing robust data for analysis.

He further said that by December, the collected data would be analysed, and findings would inform policy suggestions to the government.

Omonisi said the aim was to duplicate the childhood cancer registry in all six geopolitical zones.

Laura Haskins from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated that the review, requested by the Federal Government, aimed to analyse Nigeria’s cancer control capacities and needs.

“The IAEA, WHO, and IARC provide technical support to countries strengthening their cancer control.

“We acknowledge Nigeria’s existing capacity and seek to tailor our assessment to its specific needs.”

Prof. Musa Ali-Gombe, Director of Clinical Services at NICRAT, explained that the meeting’s objective was to engage stakeholders in Abuja and nationwide on their roles, challenges, and gaps in cancer control activities.

“Participants include academic institutions, medical professional associations, NGOs, and CSOs involved in cancer advocacy.

“This collaboration will produce a comprehensive document for the government to implement suggested improvements.”(NAN)

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Moses Ekuma, has disclosed that the state has recorded 28 deaths and 386 cases since the cholera outbreak on September 24.

Ekuma made this known to newsmen on Saturday during the donation of medical commodities by the Governor’s wife, Mrs Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, to the General Hospital in Iboko, Izzi Local Government Area.

Ekuma said most deaths occurred at home before the emergency response team and the ministry were informed.

He attributed cholera outbreaks to contaminated water, poor sanitation, and improper disposal of refuse, among other factors.

To tackle the outbreak, he said about six treatment centres have been designated across the state.

He said the governor’s wife’s donation, made through her pet project, Better Health for Rural Women, Children and Internally Displaced Foundation (BERWO), included home purification tablets, hand sanitisers, intravenous infusion, and oral rehydration salt.

Ekuma commended the governor’s efforts against the epidemic.

Mrs Nwifuru, while making the donation, commiserated with families of the victims and encouraged them not to lose hope.

She noted that the visit aimed to identify factors contributing to the spread of the disease.

“The sight of these people battling cholera is a reminder that we must do more to protect our communities from infectious diseases,” she said.

Daniel Hernandis, Project Medical Referral of Doctors-without-Borders, decried the outbreak’s level, stating that over half of the cases were recorded in Izzi Local Government Area.

Hernandis appreciated the support from the World Health Organisation and healthcare workers on the frontlines.(NAN)

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja 

World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative to Nigeria, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, at the weekend revealed that only 17% of the Sustainable Development Goals, SDG, healthcare targets are on track, while the rest are at serious risk.

Mulombo stated this in Abuja, while addressing journalists at the two-day capacity training organised by WHO.

 

He said it is imperative for the Federal Government, FG, to accelerate its healthcare reform in order to meet the SDGs.

 

 Dr. Mulombo stressed that Nigeria must move beyond pilot projects and focus on delivering large-scale, quality healthcare solutions.

He added that the key word is ‘acceleeation’ “If we continue in the pace at which we are going,been might not reach there.

There might be prospects of extension but we should not look at that . We are therefore urging Nigeria to accelerate”. 

According to WHO boss, “It’s time for implementation, quality, scale, and speed,” he said, urging for collective efforts from the government and communities to overcome challenges.

Dr. Mulombo said it is very worrisome that Nigeria rank 187th out of 191 countries in healthcare performance. He pointed to factors such as inadequate funding, poorly trained healthcare personnel, and high costs of services as barriers that need immediate attention.

Journalists, he said, have a pivotal role in driving change by ensuring that the public receives accurate, evidence-based health information, especially in remote areas. “Journalists are the bridge between the public and the facts, and it is crucial that this bridge is built on the foundation of truth and responsibility,” Dr. Mulombo noted.

Given Nigeria’s prominence, representing nearly a third of Africa’s population, Dr. Mulombo emphasized that responsible reporting can shape both national and international perspectives on the He called on journalists to collaborate closely with healthcare experts to ensure accurate information reaches the public, especially in light of global challenges like COVID-19, climate change, and economic downturns.

The WHO representative reaffirmed WHO’s support for Nigerian journalists, praising their resilience and encouraging them to maintain ethical and evidence-based reporting as Nigeria navigates its healthcare challenges.

Meanwhile, WHO also revealed that about 28 million Nigerians would have to relocate due to rise in sea level.

Dr. Edwin Eden, stated this in a paper titled ‘Interconnection between Climate change and public health’, at the conference.

He said, “29% of Nigeria national disease burden is linked to risks factors from the environment. Over 21% anticipated burden of disease in Nigeria due to Climate change. 3.371 Carbon dioxide, emission, CO2e, Nigeria’s greenhouse gases (GHG), emission per capita.

“442.5 MICO2e, 2030 Nigeria New Distribution Capability, NDC, target . 94% Health facilities, do not have basic water sanitation and hygiene services.

“27.53 million people in Nigeria might need to be relocated with a 0.5 meter increase in sea levels. 3.6 billion people already live in areas highly susceptible to climate change. The direct damage cost to health is between US$ 2 – 4 billion per year by 2030. Approximately 250, 000 additional deaths annually due to climate Change”.

Edwin, while mentioning those things use or done in the environment that are directly or indirectly affecting climate Change and health of people, these are chemicals and pesticides in food chains, open defaecation, oil and gas pollution,drinking-water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and vector-borne out breaks, and poor solid waste management. 

“Climate change impact on health, include, flooding, air pollution, plastics in the oceans, and electronic waste”. 

Nigeria is 3rd in Africa, whose children are most vulnerable to Climate related risks and hazards, especially associated with environmental risks.

Central African Republic, CAR comes first while Chad comes second and Nigeria’ followed, according to WHO’s, Children’s Climate Risk Index, CCRI, ranking.

On Primary Health Centers, PHCs, Dr. Brantuo Mary Ama, in her paper presentation titled ‘PHCs as a tool for Health Systems Strengthening and high quality healthcare services for all’, she said over 1 billion people worldwide are at risk of falling into poverty because of our of pocket health spending of 10% or more of their household budget. 

She said, “Over 1 billion people worldwide are at risk of falling into poverty due to our of pocket health spending of 10 or more of their household budget.scaling up PHC intervention across low and middle income countries could save 60 million lives and increase average life expectancy by 3.7 years by 2030. 

“The majority of essential interventions (90%), for Universal Health Coverage, UHC can be delivered through PHC approach. An estimated 75% of the projected health gains from SDGs could be achieved through PHC. PHC is crucial to fast tracking Nigeria’s health and development targets . The opportune time is now as the President’s renewed hope agenda has been set high standards of expectations that need to be delivered.

“By 2030 at least 80% of member states health systems that are performing optimally for effective delivery of essential package of health and related services.

“All members states will have at least 80% of their population utilizing the identified essential package of health related services. All member states will have in place and be implementing the investment plans needed to align their health system to the SDGs”.!