U.S. oncology experts relate with Nigerians for better cancer treatment

Over the past two weeks, the United States Embassy has connected oncology specialists from the American nation and Nigeria to strengthen capacity of cancer treatment and care in Nigeria.

As visiting Fulbright specialists in the field of oncology pharmacy, Prof. Cindy O’Bryant of the University of Colorado and Prof. Donald Harvey of Emory University conducted training and shared best practices with their Nigerian counterparts in Abuja and Lagos.

In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), O’Bryant and Harvey briefed stakeholders at the Ministry of Health, National Hospital Trauma Centre and the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital on new clinical approaches to improve treatment outcomes and survival rate of cancer patients.

They also discussed early detection and prevention, enhanced care delivery and strengthening of institutional support for patient-centered care models.

In Lagos, the two specialists conducted a workshop in pharmaceutical best practices for 34 pharmacy oncologists from across the federation. The training focused on managing different cancers, selecting and administering medicines, using biosafety cabinets and other workplace safety protocols, and safely administering chemotherapy at the Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre and NSIA-LUTH Cancer Centre.

The visit was sponsored by the embassy’s Public Affairs Section and Project Pink Blue, a local cancer awareness non-profit organisation, through the auspices of the U.S. Department of State’s Fulbright Specialist Program.

The Fulbright Specialist Program is a short-term complement to the more widely known U.S. Fulbright Scholar Program, which sends U.S. faculty and professionals overseas to consult, research and promote dialogue as subject matter experts.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Fulbright Program, which since 1946, has been operational in over 160 countries to facilitate international educational and cultural exchanges among leading and accomplished students, scholars, teachers and professionals from all fields.