Health

Special Report-UMTH: Looking at the Cancer Center Under Professor Ahidjo’s Led Management Team (3)

Published

1 year ago

September 18, 2023

News Net Global

Special Report-UMTH: Looking at the Cancer Center Under Professor Ahidjo’s Led Management Team (3)

By: James Bwala

As a way to wrap up this piece, let me mention that the management team of Professor Ahmed Ahidjo is actively working to provide Nigerians seeking assistance with cancer treatment with the greatest possible care. The CMD has taken concrete action and made public statements to support the training of doctors who specialize in clinical oncology and related fields. If only to find water, the CMD might go anywhere and crack the rock. An official count of oncology or general surgeons in Africa could not be located after searching through reports on cancer-related topics. In 2010, a thorough analysis of the literature from sub-Saharan Africa (except from South Africa) on the state of surgery in the region indicated that there were just under two surgeons for every 100,000 people living there. For comparison, there were more than 35 surgeons in the same number in England.

As a result, surgery and anesthesia were performed—and are still performed—in many district hospitals by non-physicians who received special training for the job. The majority of oncologic surgery was carried out by general surgeons in referral hospitals. According to the study, the large-scale emigration of medical school graduates and the lack of surgically specialized programs in many African nations were the main causes of the low number of surgeons in the region.

Many Nigerians are now wondering how Professor Ahmed Ahidjo was able to reach the ground under his leadership in hospital management at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, which prides itself as the “Centre of Excellence”. We also made inquiries. How many radiation facilities are currently operating in Africa? Are these covering the need for cancer therapy sufficiently? How many additional units will be necessary? And so on. Radiotherapy plays a major role in the curative arsenal of a cancer unit.

When examining the primary therapeutic approaches utilized to treat cancer patients, it was discovered that surgery was the primary approach in 49% of cases, radiation was the primary approach in 40% of cases, and chemotherapy was the primary approach in the remaining 11% of cases. According to a survey conducted in the high-income nation of Australia, little more than 52% of cancer patients required radiotherapy as part of their treatment regimen. However, it is believed that up to 60% to 70% of new patients in low-income countries require radiotherapy due to a lack of surgical treatments and the high proportion of advanced-stage tumors that call for palliative care.

In light of this, only 277 external-beam radiation devices were registered for the African continent in the IAEA’s Directory of Radiation Centers in 2010. Of them, two nations—South Africa and Egypt—accounted for 60%. In addition, of the 52 nations surveyed, 29 African nations did not offer radiotherapy to cancer patients. According to the IAEA, more than 700 additional teletherapy machines would be needed on the continent given the estimated 713,206 cancer cases per year in Africa (according to GLOBOCAN 2008) and the fact that one teletherapy machine can treat 450 new cases of cancer annually.

There are currently no specific statistics available on the accessibility of chemotherapy drugs across the continent of Africa. In 2012 and 2018, an assessment of the situation in sub-Saharan Africa was made, which revealed a number of issues. All 22 of the chemotherapeutic medications on the WHO essential list are probably imported into the region, most of them as generics, but not all of the medications are always available. It is assumed that there is a severe scarcity of systemic anticancer drugs based on extrapolating the status of other critical medications on the WHO list, whose availability was proven to cover barely half of the demand. The scientists also discovered that, on average, the prices of pharmaceuticals in Africa were between 2.7 and 6.1 times higher than the prices used as international benchmarks. Finally, they calculated that there aren’t enough certified medical professionals available to give chemotherapy.

The situation is best illustrated by a review of the pharmaceuticals accessible for cancer therapy at a cancer center in Tanzania; over the time period studied, only about 50% of the specified medicines were available, which resulted in more than 70% of patients not receiving adequate therapy. The expense of purchasing the medications privately ranged from 1 to 7 months’ worth of income. Only a few patients were able to pay because the majority of them lacked insurance. Services in anatomic and clinical pathology are essential for cancer prevention. Pathology studies provide evidence for each stage of the diagnostic process, including the detection of malignant disease, diagnosis, staging, planning the surgical procedure, assessing management complications, and monitoring the outcome of treatment.

Furthermore, pathologic confirmation of the diagnoses is required for the cancer registry data to be taken seriously. For realistic planning of cancer control measures, this final input is crucial. Although there are no official statistics on the state of pathology services in Africa, the information that is currently available indicates a serious shortage in both quantity and quality. According to a 2012–20 informal assessment of pathology capacity in sub-Saharan Africa, the number of pathologists in the region was roughly 10% lower than that of specialists in fields equivalent to pathology in high-income nations.

The African Pathologists Summit, held in 2013 in Dakar, also noted the lack of pathologists and technicians, the poor state of the equipment, the inadequate infrastructure, and the difficulties in getting laboratory supplies. An extensive assessment of cancer prevention in Africa was just released. The analysis reiterates that most malignancies in Africa with the highest incidence rates can be prevented. For instance, human papillomavirus vaccination and other population screening techniques can prevent cervical cancer; hepatitis B vaccination can prevent liver cancer; eliminating malaria and HIV infections can lower the risk of Burkitt lymphoma (HIV is also the primary cause of the high incidence of Kaposi’s sarcoma); and limiting sun exposure can prevent skin cancer.

The investigation did discover that the region’s preventative measures are insufficient. According to the literature, not enough people are aware that cancer exists as a disease, that it has risk factors and manifestations, and that there are methods for preventing and treating it. Additionally, a number of cultural aspects make it difficult to use preventative strategies developed for other sociocultural contexts. The infrastructure and staff in place to enable mass prevention efforts in the health sector are insufficient. Although vaccination programs against the human papillomavirus and the hepatitis B virus are conducted on the continent, they are mostly supported by funding from outside organizations like the United Nations or the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations.

Governments lack the motivation to fully commit to the fight against cancer, and the majority of nations lack national cancer registries, which would provide accurate information on the scope and character of the issue. In a 2009 analysis of the global burden of cancer, the Economist Intelligence Unit discovered a significant gap between the cancer costs on the African continent, which accounted for just 0.3% of the global costs, and the continent’s share of the world’s new cases of cancer, which accounted for 6.4% of the world’s annual total. The amount spent on cancer treatment is disproportionately low in Africa since the majority of cancer costs are represented by medical expenditures (medications, medical procedures, charges for hospitalization, and outpatient visits).

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We were able to see the wider picture of the efforts being made by Professor Ahmed Ahidjo, Chief Medical Director of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and his management team to find a solution to a more significant issue the world is currently facing thanks to his high-level explanation, study results, and real-world data. The newly opened Cancer Center at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) would go a long way toward reducing the amount of regular medical travel that Nigerians engage in. The Cancer Center is the only facility in Nigeria with four bunkers and cutting-edge medical equipment to ensure that cancer patients receive top-notch care.

Recalls that Alh. Mamman Mamuda, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, said of the UMTH during the inspection of projects completed in the hospital that other cancer centers across the nation “are not up to the standard” of the UMTH Cancer Center and lack the capacity. From what I have observed on the ground, I can conclude that the UMTH is prepared to put an end to medical tourism in Nigeria, he claimed. We have already begun planning ways to make the UMTH a recipient of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s Cancer Support Fund.

The Cancer Center, which cost more than N5 billion to build, has the newest medical facilities in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the UMTH, Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo. He also noted that the goal of the UMTH is to prevent any medical issues from being referred to outside facilities, such as the Epic Hospital in the North East Region. We have two linear accelerators, two brachytherapists, and four bunkers here. We are bringing the first linear accelerators into Nigeria with the Nectar Infinite. The second one, HD Versa, for which the Federal Ministry of Health recently completed the purchase procedure for us, is the first to enter sub-Saharan Africa and the most recent method used globally.

Alongside the Permanent Secretary, Director of Hospital Services Dr. Adebinpe Adebiyi praised the Cancer Center as one of the greatest in the nation and claimed that “it is beating the trends” set by other centers before it. Dr. Adebiyi disclosed that the management of UMTH has given the issue of staffing the new cancer center great priority, noting that the capacity building of professionals to staff the center has been completed. “When Nigerians travel overseas and encounter other Nigerians, they are treated with respect. Why are they not able to treat Nigerians here? It was her.

In Borno State, the CMD is being praised for the several initiatives he is putting in place to make Maiduguri a tourism hub for health in Nigeria, especially with the country’s largest cancer center and cutting-edge medical technology. The move and encouragement needed from the previous administration to the current one, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is to have more federal presence at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital through activities that would promote bigger dreams for a better health solution in Nigeria.

Special Report-UMTH: Looking at the Cancer Center Under Professor Ahidjo’s Led Management Team (3)

Health

Why UMTH is Nigeria’s leading healthcare institution.

Published

2 weeks ago

February 12, 2025

News Net Global

Professor Ahmed Ahidjo

Why UMTH is Nigeria’s leading healthcare institution.

By: Dr. James Bwala

UMTH’s medical professionals and medical breakthroughs in Nigeria Medical institutions around the country should continue to prioritize infrastructure development. UMTH’s commitment to staff training and development was critical to its growth. The hospital invested heavily in ongoing professional development programs, ensuring that its medical staff were not only well-versed in the most recent information and skills used by the hospital, but also had the opportunity to show them. UMTH’s initiatives ensured that its healthcare professionals stayed at the cutting edge of medical advances and practices.

Professor Ahmed Ahidjo’s creative leadership has helped the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) become a renowned healthcare institution in Nigeria. Over the last 40 years, UMTH has experienced substantial modernization and expansion, transitioning from a single-building complex to a multi-institutional system. This expansion included the construction of important facilities such as a 150-bed trauma center and a 1,000-seat theater, which greatly improved the hospital’s ability to provide outstanding medical services. By deliberately extending its facilities, UMTH has established itself as a key healthcare provider not only in northeastern Nigeria but throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.

Furthermore, the hospital’s expansion reflects broader trends in Nigerian healthcare systems, which attempt to improve service delivery in the face of numerous problems. While many tertiary hospitals confront challenges such as insufficient medical equipment and staff training, UMTH’s proactive approach has enabled it to successfully manage these difficulties. As it continues to adapt and innovate in the healthcare industry, UMTH demonstrates how strategic planning may result in significant improvements in patient care.

Under Professor Ahmed Ahidjo’s guidance, UMTH developed its physical infrastructure while also investing in innovative medical technologies and thorough staff training programs to improve service delivery. This strategy not only increased the hospital’s operational efficiency, but it also drew a cadre of highly competent medical staff committed to sustaining high standards of care.

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These strategic developments, together with a dedication to excellence, have established UMTH as a leader in healthcare innovation and quality in the Northeast. Furthermore, the creation of specialist centers, including the 150-bed trauma center and renovated auxiliary facilities, has substantially improved UMTH’s ability to handle difficult medical cases, confirming its image as Nigeria’s preeminent healthcare institution. Furthermore, the hospital’s dedication to research and partnership with international medical institutes has created a culture of continual learning and innovation.

UMTH’s dedication to both patient care and academic quality has established a standard for other institutions in the region, maintaining its position as a healthcare leader. Under the innovative leadership of Professor Ahmed Ahidjo, UMTH has increased its facilities and services, most notably with the installation of a Child Institute, Cancer Centre, Burns Centre, a 150-bed trauma center, and a 1000-seat auditorium, amongst others, which have been important in improving its capacity to deliver.

Strategic connections with international institutions have not only fostered information exchange but also brought cutting-edge medical technology to the hospital’s doorstep. This technological breakthrough has not only increased diagnosis and treatment capacities but has also established UMTH as a top choice for medical education and research. Leveraging these improvements, UMTH has also prioritized healthcare professional training, ensuring that both current and new hires are skilled in using cutting-edge technology to offer excellent patient care.

The emphasis on continuing professional development has kept UMTH’s healthcare professionals at the forefront of medical developments, ensuring high levels of patient care and safety. Furthermore, the hospital’s concentration on research and development has resulted in ground-breaking studies that have greatly advanced medical knowledge, cementing its position as Nigeria’s preeminent healthcare facility.

This dedication to quality is also evident in the hospital’s patient satisfaction rates, which have regularly exceeded national averages, demonstrating the efficacy of its comprehensive approach to treatment. UMTH’s ability to provide great healthcare is enhanced by its strong infrastructure and an innovative culture that pervades all aspects of its operations.

Dr. James Bwala, PhD, writes from Abuja.

Why UMTH is Nigeria’s leading healthcare institution.

Health

UNAIDS Calls for Continuation of Essential HIV Services While US Global Funding is Paused

Published

3 weeks ago

February 2, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

UNAIDS Calls for Continuation of Essential HIV Services While US Global Funding is Paused

By: Michael Mike

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has called for a continuation of all essential HIV services while the United States pauses its funding for foreign aid.

The UNAIDS had on 29 January welcome the news that United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, had approved an “Emergency Humanitarian Waiver,” allowing people to continue accessing lifesaving HIV treatment funded by the U.S. in 55 countries worldwide.

More than 20 million people – two-thirds of all people living with HIV accessing HIV treatment globally – are directly supported by the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

The statement at the weekend by UNAIDS, said: “While continuity of HIV treatment is essential, services must continue to be monitored, and oversight provided for quality. Other critical HIV services for people, especially marginalized people including children, women, and key populations, must continue. Last year, PEPFAR provided over 83.8 million people with critical HIV testing services; reached 2.3 million adolescent girls and young women with HIV prevention services; 6.6 million orphans, vulnerable children, and their caregivers received HIV care and support; and 2.5 million people were newly enrolled on pre-exposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV infection.

“Since PEPFAR was created, the United States has been steadfast in its leadership in the fight against HIV. The U.S. has saved millions of lives through its programmes, particularly in the countries most affected by HIV. PEPFAR has had remarkable results in stopping new infections and expanding access to HIV treatment – and this must continue.

“Globally, there are 1.3 million people that are newly infected with HIV every year, 3,500 every day. Young women and girls in Africa are at alarming high risk of HIV, where 3,100 young women and girls aged 15 to 24 years become infected with HIV every week and at least half of all people from key populations are not being reached with prevention services.

“Pregnant women in high HIV prevalent areas must be tested for HIV to determine whether they are living with HIV so they can protect their baby by taking antiretroviral therapy prior to birth. As a result, babies will be born HIV-free.

The statement lamented that many organisations providing services for people living with HIV that are funded, or partly funded, by PEPFAR have reported they will shut their doors due to the funding pause with lack of clarity and great uncertainty about the future, stating that UNAIDS is evaluating the impact and will provide routine and real-time updates to share the latest global and country information, data, guidance, and references.

Executive Director at National Forum of People Living with HIV Network Uganda (NAFOPHANU), Flavia Kyomukama, said: “PEPFAR gave us hope and now the executive order is shattering the very hope it offered for all people living with HIV and our families. As communities we are in shock with the continued closure of clinics. We resolutely demand that all our governments come in haste to fill the gap in human resources needed at the moment to ensure sustainability of HIV service delivery.”

Zimbabwe`s umbrella network of people living with HIV (ZNNP+) stated that the implementation of stop work orders has led to significant fears, including reduced access to essential services, loss of community trust and long-term health outcomes.

The statement said as the waiver is effective for a review period of all U.S. foreign development assistance, future coverage of HIV services – including for treatment – remains unclear and the lives of the millions of people supported by PEPFAR are in jeopardy and could be at stake.

Anele Yawa, General Secretary for the Treatment Action Campaign is worried, noting that: “The PEPFAR-fund freeze will take South Africa and the world back in terms of the gains we have made in our response to HIV,” he said. “We are asking ourselves how are we going to cope in the next three months as people are going to be left behind in terms of prevention, treatment and care.”

The statement added that at a moment when the world can finally get the upper hand on one of the world’s deadliest pandemics, aided by new long-acting HIV prevention and treatment medicines coming to market this year, UNAIDS urges the U.S. to continue its unparalleled leadership and accelerate, not diminish, efforts to end AIDS.

Ut further said UNAIDS looks forward to partnering with the United States, other donors and countries most affected by HIV to ensure a robust and sustainable response to HIV and to achieve our collective goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

UNAIDS Calls for Continuation of Essential HIV Services While US Global Funding is Paused

Health

NSCDC Takes Medical Outreach to Community in Nasarawa

Published

1 month ago

January 17, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

NSCDC Takes Medical Outreach to Community in Nasarawa

By: Michael Mike

The Nigeria Security and Civil. Defence Corps have continued to strengthen collaborations with one of the best HMOs in Nigeria, the United Healthcare International Ltd., this is in a bid to improve the well being of the serving officers and some host communities and also improve on grassroot security techniques and effective information gathering to forestall criminality.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of a medical outreach organised by the NSCDC Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Audi, said the partnership with the United Healthcare International has positively impacted the Corps hence in order to give back to the communities and further foster and improve on the existing synergy between NSCDC and host communities, the Medical Health Service Department of the NSCDC organized the medical outreach programme to promote effective collaborations.

Delivering a goodwill message while representing the CG at the opening ceremony, ACG Ilelaboye Oyejide reiterated the commitment of the Corps to enhancing the health and well being of not only officers and men of the Corps but also the host
communities.

“In carrying out our statutory mandates, it requires the supports of the host communities for positive results and this is why the NSCDC is concerned about the state of health and wellness of the people.

“As an agency with the roles and responsibility of Disaster mitigation we belief that the free medical outreach organized for the people will go a long way to further cement the existing working relationship of the Corps and the entire community”.

The NSCDC Boss hinted that the Medical outreach would be carried out in various communities as time unfolds he noted that the Corps medical officers alongside the United Healthcare HMOs would be at Laminga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State for the first phase in the year.

NSCDC Takes Medical Outreach to Community in Nasarawa