Health
‘Over 40% Of Cancers Are Preventable’ — Tunji Alausa Reveals How To Improve Outcomes
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Tunji Alausa says nearly half of all cancer outcomes can be influenced.
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But there is still high mortality rate in resource-poor countries, according to the health minister.
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At a seminar experience, he reveals the causes of the high mortality rate.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, says over 40% of cancers are preventable and over 40% are curable.
The minister, however, noted that there is still a very high mortality rate associated with the preventable and curable cancers in “resource poor countries like most African countries.”
EDITOR’S PICKS
He spoke on Wednesday at the Technical Session of the High-level regional seminar of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation of African member states in Abuja.
The seminar, which kicked off on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, and set to conclude on Thursday, May 16, 2024, is themed Innovative Approaches to Cancer Prevention and Early Detection.
Dr. Alausa stated that the poor cancer outcomes is due to low awareness, weak cancer infrastructure, including personnel, and delayed diagnosis and commencement of therapy.
“It has also been documented that while over 70% of people in the western world would have access to cancer care early, less than 30% of African patients present early and therefore do not get care on time, which is most regrettable and not acceptable,” he said.
The health minister, therefore, called for improved funding to improve infrastructure, capacity building and overall access to cancer care.
Dr. Alausa also commended the African First Ladies of the OIC Member States for championing awareness creation and early detection.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa and African First Ladies of the OIC Member States at the seminar on cancer prevention and early detection
FURTHER READING
He noted that their actions will go a long way in increasing advocacy “which will improve funding for cancer care at national and international levels.”
Read the minister’s full speech below:
Distinguished colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the Government and the good people of Nigeria, I am pleased to be here to welcome all the delegates of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), our international partners and all the technical partners to the 3rd edition of the High-level Regional Seminar organized by the First Ladies leadership of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in collaboration with the Office of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
2. I am particularly happy that our own first Lady, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu OON, CON graciously accepted to host this edition of the OIC High level regional seminar. The First Lady’s gesture is a testament to an uncommon commitment and people-oriented leadership of His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR who has passionately demonstrated a rare zeal to transform the health sector, especially cancer care through his Renewed Hope agenda.
3. This High-level Seminar on promoting cancer awareness and advocacy programmes with the theme ‘innovative approaches to cancer prevention and early detection’ has come at a time when the campaign for improved cancer awareness and early diagnosis is needed most. As you may know, over 40% of cancers are preventable and over 40% are curable. Unfortunately, in resource poor countries like most African countries, there is still a very high mortality associated with the preventable and curable cancers.
4. This can be attributed to low awareness, weak cancer infrastructure including personnel, and delayed diagnosis and commencement of therapy. It has also been documented that while over 70% of people in the western world would have access to cancer care early, less than 30% of African patients present early and therefore do not get care on time, which is most regrettable and not acceptable.
5. It is important for us to appreciate the African First Ladies of the OIC Member States for championing awareness creation and early detection, as this will go a long way in increasing advocacy which will improve funding for cancer care at national and international levels. Improved funding will translate to improved infrastructure, capacity building and overall access to care.
6. This two-day event will feature a wide range of topics and sessions designed to improve the capacity of technical partners as we support various governments and institutions. Various experts have been invited from within and outside Africa to discuss the following critical elements of cancer prevention:
I. Awareness and Prevention of Cancer.
II. Role of Government Policies in Cancer Control: Sub-regional initiatives to promote effective cancer control and prevention.
III. Community Engagement and Empowerment.
IV. Innovations in Cancer Screening Technologies:
V. Early Detection of Priority Cancers and Advocacy.
VI. Preventive and Palliative Care in Cancer Diseases with emphasis on Critical Exposition of Religious and Cultural Perspectives; and
VII. Sustainable Financing of Cancer Control in Target Member States7. It is my hope that all participants will take advantage of the opportunities provided by this seminar to improve their knowledge on ways to increase awareness and approaches to cancer prevention and early diagnosis. At the end of this two-day seminar, there will be resolutions and statements made by the First Ladies which will prompt various governments and International Partners to swing into action in providing necessary enabling environment for improvement in the overall cancer care in our subregion.
8. On this note, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, while I urge you all to participate actively in this very important seminar, It is my honour to declare this technical session open.
9. Thank you.
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