By JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) has organised a three-day workshop for health workers in Zamfara State from Primary and Secondary Health Facilities on cancer treatment and prevention.
The workshop has a Theme: “Enhancing Skills in Urinary Schistosomiasis and Prompt Referral of Suspected Bladder Cancer”.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Aisha MZ Anka, while declaring the workshop open in Gusau on Tuesday, commended NICRAT for the efforts toward fighting cancer.
Anka, who was represented by the Director, Public Health in the ministry, Dr Yusuf Haske, described the training as a giant stride in cancer fight.
She said that the ministry would continue to partner NICRAT on cancer intervention opportunities not only the bladder cancer but all other cancers affecting human beings.
Anka added that the state government is providing equipment, skilled manpower to ensure that the training is stepped down to the grassroots.
The commissioner urged participants to pay attention and understand the basic concept of the training.
The state’s Team Lead of the programme, Dr Ibrahim Jibril Hano, said that “the training is for frontline health workers in Primary Healthcare Centres and the focus is on basic cancer screening techniques.
“This is an organised and specialised capacity building workshop for health workers in primary, secondary healthcare facilities in Zamfara, with a
total of 28 participants; two from each of the 14 local government areas.”
Jibril Hano further explained that Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states were selected for the workshop, as the states have high burden of Schistosomiasis disease in the country.
He said “that is why this training is taking place today, concurrently in the three states I mentioned.
The state’s Coordinator, World Health Organisation (WHO), Mr Mukhtar Raji, said Zamfara must be ready to access more intervention opportunities for cancer prevention, as he assured further WHO support for cancer prevention and treatment.
In seperate remarks, the Executive Secretaries, State Hospital Services Management and State Primary Health Care Board, Dr Mustafa Marafa and Dr. Hussaini Yakubu, assured their readiness to ensure that cancer intervention programmes succeeded.
