Ondo First Lady advocates national programme for cancer
Sade Adewale, Ondo
The First Lady of Ondo State, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu has commended surgeons for contributing to breast cancer awareness in Nigeria.
She stated this at the Nigeria Surgical Research Society (NSRS) Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting, with the theme ” Breast Cancer Support Services: The Journey so far ” which was held at the auditorium of University of Medical Sciences, UNIMED, Ondo.
Anyanwu-Akeredolu who was represented by Mr Ife Awoyelu of Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu Foundation (BAAF), said that health investigations play a major role in breast cancer survival, as it has been realised that non-acceptance of medical treatment and seeking alternative orthodox care were factors responsible to decreased survival rate in lower-middle-income countries, like Nigeria.
She emphasized the need to prevent the late presentation of cases in the hospital, which characterises most breast cancer cases, through the provision of psychosocial support.
She highlighted some of the supportive care provided by BRECAN to increase survival, including the establishment of the BRECAN Centre in Ibadan to accommodate patients on treatment schedules at the University Teaching Hospital, and the introduction of Crowdfunding to assist patients’ treatment bills and different awareness strategies.
Speaking earlier, the Chief Medical Director of UNIMED Teaching Hospital, Dr Oluwole Ige represented by Dr Francis Akinkunmi charged delegates at the conference toward improving surgical outcomes for patients through increased cross-functional collaborations with other health regulatory bodies to put in their best interest to achieve their goals.
Also, he commended research output from an impressive effort in solving locally relevant surgical challenges in the Teaching Hospitals.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor UNIMED, Prof. Adesegun Fatusi, expressed his happiness for hosting the 79th conference, being the first such since his assumption of office.
Fatusi described medical research as a systematic investigation, and study of materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions.
However, he noted that the quantum of research didn’t equate with the opportunities available while advising them to continue to research as it will support breast cancer and other health Services.
National President of the Society, Dr Philemon Okoro while speaking, stated that the objectives of coming together as members of the society were to strategies, further the course of the (NSRS) in Nigeria and develop skills in surgical procedure and research.
He added further that, members should be involved in active research by presenting research papers at least every year to retain their membership.
Okoro lauded the efforts and contributions of Her Excellency to fight against breast cancer through her Foundation and for also leveraging on her position as First Lady to galvanise actions toward increasing the survival rate.
The conference which had delegates from different Universities and Teaching Hospitals across Nigeria was attended by Surgeons, Scholars and Medical workers.