FG gets second Cancer treatment machine in National Hospital

The Federal Government on Tuesday, in Abuja received delivery of the second Radiotherapy machine for Cancer treatment. The Elekta machine for Linear Accelerator (LINAC) is made up of several components to be coupled and installed soon.

Receiving the machine on behalf of the Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, at the National hospital, the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Jeff Momoh, said the Abuja Radiotherapy centre would be the only centre in West Africa running two Linear accelerators at the same time. This, the CMD explained, was to avoid running down the 1st machine which has currently treated over 200 patients.

Describing the arrival of the second machine as a major breakthrough for the country, the CMD said its installation would further check medical tourism as patients who travelled abroad for cancer treatment would return home to receive treatment at the centre.

“A cancer patient has returned from India for treatment at the centre and we will soon see patients from other sub-regions receiving cancer treatment in the hospital because with the state of the art equipment available, it will be the best Cancer treatment centre in West Africa,” Momoh said in a statement issued by the health ministry.

Commending the Minister of Health for seeing to the delivery of the machine, Momoh informed that the procurement of the second machine was made possible by the unflinching commitment of the Minister who had earlier pledged to the hospital in that regard.

According to Momoh, similar machines would soon be installed in each of the six geopolitical zones in the country.

On the maintenance and optimum functionality of the Cancer machine, the CMD said the hospital has fully trained the First set of Nigerians on the maintenance and supervision of the Linear Accelerator under the supervision of Ikede John, a Deputy Director in the National Hospital, Abuja, to ensure its proper use.

Wale Akinola, the representative of its manufacturer, JNC International Ltd ensured the safe delivery of the machine.

 

LAIDE AKINBOADE-ORIERE