NMA lauds expert over prostrate cancer treatment in Edo State

NNPC, Shell donate equipment to Abuja hospital
Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has hailed the efforts of Benin City-based radiation oncologist, Dr. Oludare Adeyemi, for recording a major breakthrough in the treatment of the deadly prostrate cancer common with men.

Speaking at the weekend on behalf of the NMA president, the second vice president, Dr. Ofene Enang, commended the consultant for the breakthrough, saying the association would continue to support medicare, especially in the private sector.While describing radiation brachytherapy as a new form of treatment for prostrate cancer, Dr. Enang warned against medical tourism in the country.

Earlier, a United States-based oncologist, Dr. Maghari Rachid, had described the breakthrough as a blessing to Nigerians, as it would discourage the idea of going abroad for treatment.

Speaking with journalists in Benin City after treating another set of prostrate cancer patients at the LA Oncology Clinic in Benin City, Adeyemi noted that one out of every seven men would likely develop the disease.

“Although, there are other options of treating prostrate cancer, the brachytherapy method is very unique, accurate and offers high degree of cure to the patient with prostrate cancer, especially when it is done at the early stage of the disease.

“In this discovery of mine, what we do is to implant a radioactive material right inside the prostrate, begin to release radiations which end up killing the cells. It damages what we call DNA, and once DNA is damaged, the cells cannot produce any longer,” the expert said.

However, to support the treatment of cancer patients nationwide, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) have donated additional Linear Accelerator Radiotherapy Machine to the National Hospital, Abuja.

Speaking in federal capital at the weekend while commissioning the machine, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo noted that the event would give the country hope.

Represented by the permanent secretary, Ministry of Health, Abdulaziz Abdullahi, the vice president stated that cancer management had been a nightmare for healthcare providers, patients and their relatives due to the lack of treatment centres and late presentation of patients.He attributed the increasing cases of cancer to unhealthy lifestyle and called for modification to curtail the scourge.

Osinbajo said, “Cancer, as we all know, is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide.“It is very disheartening that most patients present late in our environment due to lack of awareness and inadequate screening centres.“This underscores the importance of awareness creation in all healthcare facilities and provision of screening facilities.”