The Director-General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, Prof. Usman Aliyu, on Saturday called for data-driven investments and stronger coordination to tackle Africa’s growing cancer burden, saying the continent must move beyond discussions to concrete action.
This came as healthcare experts warned that while global scientific breakthroughs are accelerating, millions of African patients are being completely left behind. With fewer than 100 clinical oncologists available to treat hundreds of thousands of patients in major nations like Nigeria, and systemic “brain drain” pulling specialists to Western countries, the continent’s fragmented health systems are collapsing under a rapidly rising disease burden that now kills more Africans annually than HIV, malaria, and tuberc
Aliyu made the call during a panel session at the Best of ASCO Africa Conference, organised by the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment in partnership with the Africa Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer.
Declaring that Africa already knows what must be done to reduce cancer deaths, the NICRAT boss said the challenge lies in implementing proven strategies.
“Essentially, we need to walk the talk. Generally, we know what needs to be done. Our biggest problem is coordination,” Aliyu said.
