By Juliet Umeh 

AstraZeneca, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, FMoH and the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, NICRAT, has commissioned molecular testing 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. 

This initiative is 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’s cancer journey experience. 

According to AstraZenec, the collaboration focuses on impactful initiatives across four main pillars: Enhanced Screening and Diagnostics: AstraZeneca will establish partnerships with Abuja National Hospital, NSIA-LUTH, and the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu in setting linkages for access to molecular testing within Nigeria.

It explained that the initiative will also explore screening support for patients across breast cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer.

Capacity and capability building: AstraZeneca, collaborating with the Guandong Academy of Medical Sciences, will provide Nigeria-China cross border capacity building for multidisciplinary teams from chosen centres of excellence. Additionally, the initiative will enhance pathology expertise through pathologist training across Nigeria and provide oncology training for Healthcare Professionals (HCPs).

Patient Empowerment: AstraZeneca is deeply committed to working with patient association groups to reach the right communities, focusing on education and awareness. 

Access to Medicines: AstraZeneca is unwavering in its commitment to expanding access to innovative treatment and establishing patient support/affordability programs to enable enhanced access for Nigerian patients. This commitment is a testament to our dedication to improving cancer care in Nigeria.

Country President African Cluster at AstraZeneca, Deepak Arora, highlighted the programme’s potential: “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,” says Prof. Malami, the Director General of NICRAT.