Boosting delivery of quality Cancer care in W/Africa

APPROXIMATELY 72,000 deaths are recorded in Nigeria yearly due to cancer. It is estimated that there are up to 102, 000 new cases of cancer yearly, with breast and cervical cancers being the two most common types, and accounting for approximately 50 per cent of all cases.

Given this large number of women coming down with this disease, the GE Healthcare is set to bring its cutting edge technology to Africa, to increase accessibility and provide clinicians with faster access to information and better care, particularly in the field of oncology.

The firm, which presented its latest solutions during the ARCON conference held in the country, has been working to support both the public and private sectors across the region, supporting the development of the country’s healthcare infrastructure, and bringing the latest solutions to the region, including anatomic imaging of CT and PET technologies, that allow for the visualisation of cellular metabolism activities.

What this means is that clinicians will be able to evaluate earlier, whether a treatment is working, and tailor an appropriate therapy regimen according to patients’ unique needs, bringing an entirely new level of healthcare technology in the fight against cancer.

Together with one of its partners, Me Cure Healthcare Limited, they will be working to open a first of its kind Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography PET/CT system in West Africa, later this year.

The specialised oncology centre will produce radioactive tracers for PET/CT scans, to help deliver enhanced diagnostic care across West Africa.

The firm said it would be partnering to support the goal of patients getting early diagnosis and treatment without the need to travel abroad, which is of particular concern in the current environment.

The General Manager of GE Healthcare in Sub-Saharan Africa, Eyong Ebai, said the purpose of the company is to improve lives in moments that matter.

He said: “This is an example of partnering to help deliver sustainable and accessible precision care to all. The patient is the centre of everything we do, and we are proud to continue providing technologies that can help detect cancer early, reducing overall mortality rates and improving quality of life. By providing our innovative PET/CT technologies in Nigeria, we are delivering on our commitment to making a positive impact in the communities we live.”

The Chairman, Me cure Healthcare, Samir Udani said: “I am proud to be part of this project, as it will contribute to better healthcare for people across West Africa, especially in Nigeria.

“The team’s strong will allowed us to move forward with this partnership with GE Healthcare, which supports our vision in improving the diagnostic and treatment experience of our patients, to provide high quality and accessible clinical and outpatient services to the people of Nigeria.”